Public vote opens for LoveNUL Business Awards 2026

The public vote is now open for the LoveNUL Business Awards 2026, with five businesses shortlisted across each of six public vote categories.

The shortlist has been revealed for the public vote stage of the LoveNUL Business Awards 2026, following more than 500 nominations across 13 categories.

An independent judging panel reviewed all eligible nominations before selecting five shortlisted businesses in each of the six public vote categories.

Voting is now open and members of the public can choose their winners at www.lovenulawards.co.uk. Voting closes at 11.59pm on Friday 18th September.

The businesses shortlisted for the public vote are:

Beauty & Wellbeing Business of the Year

Divinity Studio
EM Beauty Clinic
Filtr Head Spa and Treatment Rooms
Funeral of Hearts Tattoo Studio
The Hair House

Business Services of the Year

amb Insurance Services Ltd
Hixon Group Ltd
Hurrah Marketing
Limelight Marketing Communications Ltd
SaferHandCare

Café & Coffee Shop of the Year

Anasma Greek Bakery
Boba Trent
Café Java
No. 21 Cafe and Sandwich Bar
Piccoloco

Hospitality Venue of the Year

Amore Italian Restaurant & Cafe
Breeze Bowls
Fresco
Mellards Bar
The Clubhouse Stoke

Pub, Beer & Ale Venue of the Year

Bridge Street Ale House
Mellards Bar
The Crossways
The Victoria (Little Vic)
Tiny Tennessee

Retailer of the Year

Blacks Menswear
Exhibit Florist
Hollies Haberdashery
Sparrowhawk Vintage
Tony Price Butchers

Charlotte Pearce, BID Manager at Newcastle-under-Lyme BID, said:

“We were incredibly impressed by both the number and quality of nominations received this year. More than 500 nominations were submitted across the 13 categories, with some really thoughtful examples of the difference these businesses and individuals make. It was great to see such strong representation from across the town, including businesses that have opened more recently as well as those that have been part of Newcastle-under-Lyme for many years.

“The judging panel had some very difficult decisions to make when selecting the shortlist. We’d now encourage people to read about each of the shortlisted businesses, choose who they feel deserves to win and cast their votes before Friday 18th September.”

The remaining seven awards will be decided by the judging panel with finalists for Customer Service of the Year, New Business of the Year, Market & Event Trader of the Year, Visitor Experience of the Year, Community Connector of the Year, Newcastle Ambassador of the Year and Unsung Hero of the Year being announced on Monday 14th September.

Hosted by Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District, the LoveNUL Business Awards return for their fourth year on Friday 9th October.

The judging panel includes representatives from the Newcastle-under-Lyme BID Board and organisations from across the town.

These include Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, Heywoods, New Vic Theatre, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Keele University.

Many are also supporting the awards as sponsors, alongside Titanic Brewery, Thompson Wright, University of Staffordshire, We are Staffordshire and 6 Towns Radio.

Voting is open from Friday 4th September until 11.59pm on Friday 18th September at www.lovenulawards.co.uk.

The winners will be revealed at the LoveNUL Business Awards 2026 at St Giles’ Church on Friday 9th October.