Over 450 guests filled the Grand Marquee in Bluewater for the most well-attended Dartford Business Awards yet, celebrating a record number of businesses from across the borough. Both great and small were recognised for their outstanding contributions to the community.
This year saw an unprecedented number of entries, with over 50 businesses applying – double last year’s total – and a record number of awards were handed out on the evening. This created an even greater opportunity to honour a wide range of local businesses.
To match the evening’s carnival theme, guests were treated to live entertainment, including performances by the Phase 5 Steel Band, Tanga Pasi, the UK’s leading Bob Marley tribute, and the Kings of Dhol accompanied by thrilling fire dancers, ensuring the celebratory spirit was felt throughout the night.
With strong backing from key sponsors, Dartford Borough Council was able to bring the 2024 awards to life. Each nomination was carefully considered before the final list of winners and commendations was revealed. With such a diverse array of nominees, the night showcased the incredible range and quality of businesses that Dartford has to offer.
A spokesperson from Dartford Borough Council said, “With the 2024 awards being our biggest year yet, it really goes to show how much our business community is growing and thriving. It’s important to highlight all the hard work that goes into making our borough as great as it is, and I’m delighted to hear that everyone enjoyed the evening as much as I did!”
The winners from the night are:
Best Owner-Managed Business – sponsored by The Nucleus Business & Innovation Centre, Oxford Innovation Space and ARC UK
- Time and Plaice Dartford – Hospitality Sector
- The Shutter Tree – Retail Sector
- Milly’s Cake House – Retail Sector
- Premier Recruitment Group Ltd – Services Sector
- John Francis MEP Ltd – Services Sector
- Austen Allen Homecare – Services Sector
- Fox Estate Agents Ltd – Services Sector
Shop of the Year – sponsored by Bluewater
- Harden Holidays
- Pet & Garden Supplies
Employee of the Year – sponsored by The Learning Shop and Fairfield Leisure
- Luke Cashin – We Are Beams
- Adam Jarrett – The Bull
- Ania Woroniecka – Premier Recruitment Group Ltd
- Kieran Mayhew – Cortec IT Solutions Ltd
Young Person of the Year – sponsored by North Kent College and Leigh Academies Trust / LAT Apprenticeships
- Josh Matthews – Orchard Garage Ltd
- Viktors Savickis – Cortec IT Solutions Ltd
- Aimee Lamprell – Bright Beginnings Nursery Dartford
- Olivia Till – West Hill Primary Academy
- Kadey Turner – Bright Beginnings Nursery Dartford
- Lottie Young – Mrs P’s Hair
- Hollie Green – Salon167
- Phoebe Goddard – Salon167
- Beau Kirk – Milestone Academy
- Vienna Mullock – Birchwood Heights Residential Care
The Green Award – sponsored by FCC Environment
- Mindfully Sustainable Ltd
- Healthy Living Centre Dartford
The Good for Society Award – sponsored by Downton & Ali Associates and Fox Estate Agents
- Imago Community – Kent Young Carers
- North Kent Mind
- Dartford parkrun
The Good for the Community Award – sponsored by Amazon LCY3
- Dartford Science and Technology College ‘Community Day’
- ‘Achievement Award’ for Brian Downton – Downton & Ali Associates
- The Lounge / Crossways Community Church
- The Bull
The Bluewater Award – sponsored by Bluewater
- YO! Bluewater – Food & Beverage Sector
- Rituals Bluewater – Retail Sector
- Hangloose Adventure – Services & Leisure Sector
The Dartford Living Customer’s Choice Award – sponsored by Dartford Living
- Growler Stop
To find out more about the Dartford Business Awards, visit www.dartfordbusinessawards.co.uk or contact businessawards@dartford.gov.uk. Additionally, you can like the Awards on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dartfordbusinessawards or follow on Twitter/X at www.twitter.com/Dartford_Biz
Dartford Borough Council would also like to thank all the sponsors from last night:
Amazon LCY3 – ARC UK – Bluewater Shopping Centre – Cohesion Plus – Dartford Borough Council – Dartford Living – Downton & Ali Associates – Fairfield Leisure – FCC Environment – Fox Estate Agents – Leigh Academies Trust – LAT Apprenticeships – Made in Kent Radio – North Kent College – Oxford Innovation Space – The Learning Shop – The Nucleus Business & Innovation Centre
Photos – Simon Hildrew/Dartford Borough Council.
