From independent businesses and retailers to employers investing in their people, this year’s Uckfield Business Awards celebrated the achievements of businesses and individuals from Uckfield and the surrounding areas.
Organised by Uckfield Chamber of Commerce, the awards have been shining a spotlight on the talent and dedication of the local business community since 2012, recognising success across a diverse range of industries.
This year’s sold-out black-tie ceremony took place at the East Sussex National Hotel on Thursday 1 October, bringing together 330 guests, with representatives from all 45 finalists in attendance.
Guests enjoyed a three-course dinner as winners were announced across 15 categories, recognising excellence in everything from customer service and community contribution to green business and workplace wellbeing.
Celebrating local success
Congratulations to our 2026 category winners:
- Small Business of the Year: Plane Characters Productions
- Best New Business: Dropped Pin
- Young Employee Award: Elliot Key
- Best Rural Business: Indulgent Ice Creams
- Best Place to Eat and Meet: Highlands Inn
- Wellbeing in the Workplace Award: CJ Thorne & Co.
- Retailer of the Year: Kids’ Stuff
- Contribution to the Community Award: Mobility Audio Vision
- Business Personality of the Year: Maria Mann
- Best Family Business: Mayfield Cattery
- Sole Trader of the Year: The Highland Joker
- Best Green Business: Bignose & Beardy
- Investment in People Award: CJ Thorne & Co.
- Customer Service Award: PS Tech
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Richard Thorne
Each category was supported by a sponsor, whose involvement helped recognise businesses and individuals demonstrating excellence in their respective fields.
View the full list of categories and finalists.
And the overall winner is…
Once the winners of the 15 categories had been revealed, it was time for the final award of the evening and the announcement of Business of the Year.
Selected from the 36 business finalists, choosing the overall award winner was a particularly tough decision for the sponsors, CJ Thorne & Co, working alongside the executive committee of Uckfield Chamber of Commerce.
The Highlands Inn and Mayfield Cattery were named highly commended, while Bignose & Beardy was announced as the overall Business of the Year.
The award was a fitting conclusion to an evening dedicated to celebrating the hard work, commitment and achievements of businesses across the area.
A celebration of our business community
The Uckfield Business Awards are about more than trophies. They provide an opportunity for local businesses to come together, celebrate one another’s achievements and recognise the contribution they make to the local economy and community.
With 45 finalists represented at this year’s ceremony, the awards showcased the variety of businesses operating across Uckfield and its surrounding areas – from new ventures to established organisations and individual businesspeople making their mark.
Uckfield Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate all the winners and finalists and thank the sponsors for their support in making the awards possible.
Here’s to another year of celebrating the people and businesses that help make our local business community what it is.
The Awards in pictures…
The event was ably captured by our official photographer, Michelle Wallis of MW Candid Photography. Check out the photos via the Gallery Link and do credit Michelle if using a pic or two!