Regional Winners

Well that was FUN! The cocktail glasses were overflowing as the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2023 romped to a close last week. Cue an astonishing 77,000 businesses nominated and 800,000 votes cast in 2023. I know, bonkers!

We have always proudly run the Muddy Awards on the basis of being free for all businesses to take part, and on our 10th anniversary, it’s still as exciting as ever to shine a light on brilliant lifestyle indies that make our lives so much more fun and vibrant.

I always feel a bit conflicted when the Muddy Awards Winners are announced because I’m thrilled for the businesses who get gold, but also really aware that ALL Finalists are incredible – I mean, did you see the list?! – and want all involved to feel good about what they have achieved (what can I say, I’m a big softy). Reaching the Final itself is a big accolade.

A whopping great THANK YOU to all of you Muddy readers who took part or voted – the Muddy Awards are nothing without you! OK enough waffling.

The Muddy Awards 2023 winners are…

ART GALLERY: Under the Rainbow Events, (Bluewater, Dartford)

BAR: Porto Wine Bar (Whitstable)

BEAUTY SALON / CLINIC: Beauty Lounge (Whitstable)

BOOKSHOP: The Classroom Children’s Bookshop (Westgate-on-Sea)

BOUTIQUE STAY: The Marquis of Granby (Alkham)

BRIDAL STORE: Vicki’s Bridal Boutique (Tenterden)

CAFÉ: Leo & Sage (Ashford)

CHILDREN’S BUSINESS: Kent Academy of Musical Theatre (Maidstone)

DAY SPA: Sheldon Spa (Faversham)

DESTINATION PUB: The Samuel Palmer (Shoreham)

FAMILY ATTRACTION: Hever Castle & Gardens (Hever)

FARM SHOP / DELI: Groombridge Farm Shop (Groombridge)

FITNESS INSTRUCTOR: Holly Finch, One Life Health & Fitness (Canterbury)

FLORIST: The Cove (Tunbridge Wells)

HAIR SALON: Blond-E Hair Salon (Sittingbourne)

HOTEL / INN: The Cave Hotel (Canterbury)

LIFESTYLE STORE: Rock Paper Scissors (Canterbury)

JEWELLER: Fitzgerald Jewellers (Canterbury)

LOCAL FOOD/DRINK PRODUCER: Turners Cider (Marden)

NEW LIFESTYLE START-UP: Raffman & Huckster (Tenterden)

RESTAURANT: The Old Bank (Westerham)

SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE BUSINESS: Gaia Homeware (Folkestone)

THEATRE/ARTS VENUE: E M Forster Theatre (Tonbridge)

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: Victoria Green Photography (Tonbridge)

WEDDING VENUE: The Orangery (Maidstone)

WOMEN’S FASHION STORE: Tamarisk (Deal)

YOGA/PILATES STUDIO: MyTime Pilates (Penshurst)