Over 4,200 nominations came in from residents over the two week nomination period – with more than 430 businesses put forward.
The Best Small or Independent Business category alone received more than 1,900 nominations for over 140 businesses and was by far the most hotly-contested category.
Members of the public can now vote for the winners across several categories where the top three finalists have been chosen.
Among the categories are Best Beauty or Retail Business, Best Takeaway and Best Tradesperson.
The full list of finalists is below:
The top three finalists for Best Small or Independent Business (sponsored by Quantum Group) are BestSellers, Hollywood Dogs and New Heights Fitness.
The Beauty Room in Gidea Park, Elliot Dean Hairdressers and Hair Lounge in Ardleigh Green made the top three for Best Beauty or Retail Business.
Final top three for Best Takeaway are The Lighthouse Fish and Chips, Serious Nugs and Ped’s Pizza.
Best Hospitality Business, sponsored by Hills Prospect finalists are Ped’s Pizza, Café 108 and Brookside Theatre.
The top three finalists for Best Tradesperson are BMG Gas Services, ADL Air Conditioning and Mawney Security.
The Best Shopfront finalists are Light and Shade Counselling, Ellie’s Finishing Touches and BestSellers.
Best Customer Experience has been narrowed down to The Family Health Hub, Bear with the Hair and Wrigglers Hair Salon.
Best Social Enterprise or CIC, sponsored by SEGRO finalists are BabyBank HQ, Superthinkers and Dicing with Life.
Finalists for The Best Newcomer – less than a year old, (supported by Havering Chamber of Commerce and Industry) are JuJu’s Style Closet, Light and Shade Counselling and The Bubbly Bar.
Leader of Havering Council, Councillor Ray Morgon said: “It’s great to see so many versatile businesses represented in the nominations this year – new entries as well as finalists (and winners) from last year’s awards.
“It just proves how many fantastic businesses we are lucky enough to have in Havering and the support their customers have given throughout the nomination process.
“I urge you now to take the time to vote for your favourites businesses and help thank them for the crucial role they play in our local economy.”
Julie Frost, Director of the Romford Business Improvement District and main sponsor again this year for the awards, said: “The Havering Small Business Awards is a great initiative that offers recognition to both established and up and coming local businesses and Romford BID are proud to be sponsoring the event again this year.
“It’s thanks to the hard work and dedication of business owners that Havering continues to thrive, and I would like to both thank, and congratulate all of the Nominees. Please do take the time to vote and continue to show your support to local businesses”.
A special award, ‘The Havering Small Business of the Year Award’, will be chosen from the category winners by a panel including the Council and sponsors.
The winner for each category will be announced at a special evening reception at the Premiere Cinemas in Romford in May, hosted by media partner Time 107.5 FM’s Mark Dover.
Voting is now open, and closes 5pm on Wednesday, 29 March.
For more on this story, and the latest on our other local and national news, listen to Time 107.5FM
