The Skegness Business Awards returned in spectacular fashion for 2024, celebrating the achievements and contributions of businesses and individuals who are shaping the local community. With a host of finalists representing diverse sectors, this year’s awards ceremony on Friday 22nd November, brought together innovators, trailblazers, and community champions in a night of celebration and recognition.
Paul McCooey Skegness Area Business Chamber Chair “This year’s Skegness Business Awards had a record-breaking number of nominations, and we were truly overwhelmed by the quality and dedication reflected in the entries. Tonight was the celebration of our seventh business awards, and we had the honour of presenting 12 awards that mark the incredible achievements and resilience of our local businesses. Thank you to everyone involved in the event for making it a memorable celebration of our communities’ achievements.”
The evening culminated in the announcement of the winners across various categories, each sponsored by a dedicated partner committed to supporting local enterprise. Our joint main sponsors of the evening were East Lindsey District Council and Connected Coast.
Here are the 2024 winners:
Health & Wellbeing Award
Recognising businesses that excel in promoting health and wellness in Skegness. Sponsored by Skegness Day Centre.
🏆 Kerry Rye Exercise For All
Kerry is a freelance exercise coach that in just a couple of years has built a significant reputation for her classes. She has developed classes for the Skegness Day Centre, the Demetia Café and Winthorpe Community Centre. It not just about the exercise but friendships and greater wellbeing.
Food & Drink Award
Celebrating excellence and innovation in the food and drink sector. Sponsored by Skendleby Hall.
🏆 Seaview Fisheries
Lyn and the team certainly work hard to give their customers good value with food cooked to perfection. Regulars were glowing with their praise of Seaview Fisheries and its clear a lot of hard work goes on to keep it that way.
Customer Service Award
Honouring businesses that go above and beyond in delivering outstanding customer service. Sponsored by First College.
🏆 Beam Estate Agents
A runner up in this category last year, the Beam team pulled out all the stops to demonstrate their customer service credentials. From the impressive wall of thank you cards to the way they follow up with movers including sending flowers to welcome clients into their new homes, there is no doubt the team are supported to give their very best.
Best New Business Award
Highlighting new ventures making a remarkable impact. Sponsored by Fantasy Island and Skegness Pier.
🏆 R G Taylor and Sons (Rapeseed Oils)
Riley has totally embraced the concept of diversification in farming. He has taken the Rapeseed grown on the family farm and scaled up a production centre and marketing for the high-quality oil that he prepares and bottles on the farm. Now selling at Farm Shops and delis throughout Lincolnshire.
Best Industrial Business Award
Shining a spotlight on industry leaders demonstrating excellence in their field. Sponsored by Sills and Betteridge Solicitors.
🏆 Micronclean
An intergenerational family business focusing on clean room no particle products. Although the company is international it’s clear they love Skegness. This is a firm that innovates to lead in their field, that invests in its staff and reaches out into the community.
Community Award
Recognising significant contributions to the local community. Sponsored by Stagecoach.
🏆 The Storehouse, Skegness
The first impression is that you are walking into a welcoming shop, but this is a Food Bank run by dedicated volunteers who prepare the packages and take in the donations. But this is just the beginning, room by room new initiatives unfold, a rough sleepers kitchen, shower facilities, clothing, mental health support and parents group to name but a few of the initiatives.
Education & Training Provider Award
Celebrating those committed to delivering outstanding education and training. Sponsored by Boston College.
🏆 Eco Centre, Skegness
They make a profound impact on the community through sustainable and inclusive educational experiences. They engage thousands of learners of all ages every year. Their work supports primary schools, local companies and individuals with wellness programmes, mental health initiatives, and eco conscious projects.
Accommodation Award
Honouring exceptional hospitality providers. Sponsored by People First Mobility.
🏆 Herons Mead
This site is impressive from the first glance and gets better with every turn. The development has grown at each stage sympathetically to become the whole accommodation package for couples, families and their pets. The new Wanderwood collection provides a peaceful paradise in the woodland.
Green Award
Acknowledging businesses leading the way in sustainability and environmental responsibility. Sponsored by Insight Accounting.
🏆 Lincolnshire Coastal Cottages
From inception of the business Sue and Lorna have built in sustainability. The ground source heat pump, the reuse of building materials and the use of insulation and solar to ensure cosy holiday cottages that are economical to run too. This is a business that puts into practice their beliefs.
Visitor Attraction or Event Award
Recognising attractions and events driving tourism and entertainment in Skegness. Sponsored by Skegness TEC.
🏆 Fantasy Island
When judges visited Fantasy Island their impression was WOW. The quality of the new bar, The Castaway was outstanding. Pride in the appearance of the attraction, attention to cleanliness really do contribute to the visitor feeling special and valued. The team really do make use of best practice, trained and experienced staff and the latest technology.
Learning Achiever Award
Celebrating individuals who have excelled in their educational journeys. Sponsored by Hames Chocolates Ltd.
🏆 Hajnalka Nemeth
Hajnalka and her family moved from Hungary where she was a qualified school teacher. Her ambition was to teach in the UK was hampered by her English skills. She enrolled into First College, is a star student and well on her way to achieving this ambition.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The most anticipated award of the evening, honouring a lifetime of contribution to the Skegness community. Sponsored by Skegness Area Business Chamber.
🏆 The late Sid Dennis
Chris Baron Vice Chair of Skegness Area Business Chamber announced this award to the late Sid Dennis in recognition of devoted passion and enthusiasm for our place. Sid crossed 3 different sectors – Entertainment Industry as a comic and after dinner speaker, Recycling with his name seen prominently, Sid Dennis & Sons and in Politics serving as an ELDC Councillor, a member of Skegness Town Council and in 2018 Mayor. Amongst the organisations he was involved in he was chairman of the former BID Board, a member of the Skegness Area Business Chamber and a member of his local Patient Participation Group.
The presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award was a deeply moving moment, as the entire room rose to its feet in a heartfelt standing ovation. When his son, Nick Dennis, accepted the award on his behalf, he spoke with touching warmth and affection about his father, sharing how profoundly honoured he would have felt to receive such recognition. It was a beautifully emotional conclusion to the evening, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists, who continue to inspire and drive the success of our community. The Skegness Business Awards 2024 would not have been possible without the incredible support of our sponsors and the dedication of the Skegness Area Business Chamber.