Vote now to decide this year's Business Awards winners
We received over 2,000 nominations for this year’s Mayor of Lewisham Business Awards. It’s a phenomenal amount and just goes to show how important our businesses are to the local community.
Our panel has revealed the shortlist, which we've outlined below, but now it’s back over to you! We need your votes to decide the overall winners.
We have 14 awards categories and you’re welcome to vote in as many or as few as you like. Just make sure you have your say before the closing date - Friday 21 October. Get voting now!
1. Best visitor attraction
Lewisham is full of great places to while away a few hours or an entire day. Which one gets your vote? Here are our finalists.
A local family-friendly, free museum and gardens which recently won Art Fund Museum of the Year 2022.
Independent entertainment venue with a focus on community. Three cinema screens, a café, a bar, five local food vendors and space for hire.
The Migration Museum explores how the movement of people to and from Britain across the ages has made us who we are as a community.
A friendly, inclusive community venue which is a home for live underground music with an extended beer garden and great food.
Founded in 1885 from 1910-1993 the club played at The Old Den in New Cross before moving to its current stadium nearby, The Den. The club engages in lots of community work and attracts 10,000+ fans weekly.
Vote for your favourite visitor attraction in Lewisham.
2. Best green business
Let’s celebrate those businesses in Lewisham that are doing their bit to tackle climate change. Which, of our finalists, will you vote for?
A not for profit community organic seasonal veg box scheme based in Lewisham and supporting other local businesses from the area.
Each product has been hand-picked focusing on sustainability and quality, always where possible working with local independent businesses who share the same eco ethics.
Vegan, vegetarian & some gluten-free, groceries & cleaning refills sold loose without packaging. BYO (bring your own) container for refill.
Premium quality produce from British farms delivered to your door. Customisable boxes. We tailor every individual box to each of our customer's specific needs.
Good Food is a modern grocery store prioritising local, organic and artisan foods. A social enterprise crowd-funded by over 350 local residents and businesses.
Vote for your favourite green business.
3. Best online business
Support all those brilliant local businesses that only operate through digital channels. These are our finalists.
Handmade customised cakes, freshly baked in Brockley. Offering Celebration Cakes for all occasions.
House of Lewisham works with local people and businesses to create products that represent and celebrate the borough such as clothes.
Ife Foods is the definition of healthy, delicious and convenience! Founded in 2020, we like to say we are bringing in joy and quality dried food to busy families and individuals who are time conscious and appreciate fine dining at its simplest.
Heather, creator of Heather Victoria Design, is a London creative with a background in art, textile design, product development and graphic design. Heather combines hand-drawing, watercolour and graphic design.
Supporting women and their birth partners prepare for a calm and confident birth through antenatal education and relaxation techniques. Teaching courses to over 700 couples from first time parents through to those with plenty of experience.
Vote your favourite online business now.
4. Best community contribution
This is a chance to thank the many businesses across the borough that go that bit further to support the local community in achieving great things. These are our finalists.
Collect and organise donations of all kinds, which are shared with those facing hardship in the community.
Delicious food from around the world whilst creating a path to employment for people granted asylum in Lewisham. No matter who you are we all have one thing in common – the need for good food and good jobs!
The purpose is to support the local community with computer and internet related issues. Catbytes make people more skilled and comfortable with, using smart phones, tablets, PC’s and the internet
A social enterprise at the heart of the Sydenham community. Creating meaningful London Living Wage employment for people with learning disabilities and brewing great beer.
Vote for your favourite community-minded business.
5. Best new business
Celebrating all those new business in Lewisham that are so good, you have no idea how you lived without them before? Who’s your winner? These are our finalists:
Artisan bakery selling retail and wholesale customers. Our products include sourdough bread, pastries, pasties, quiches, pies and desserts.
Offering an extensive range of services in fabrics to valued clients. From wedding dresses, to home decor and robes.
A grappling and MMA gym based in Deptford with a wide range of classes for children and adults.
Providing doggy supplies and treats in Downham.
LGBTQ+ owned Peruvian restaurant with cocktails, regular Drag Brunches and lots of camp events.
Vote now for Lewisham’s best new business.
6. Best in creative sector
Lewisham is the London Borough of Culture 2022 which makes it all the more important we celebrate our growing creative sector. Who wins? You decide. These are our finalists.
A female-owned pop-up space used by several local artists to sell their bespoke goods including art, furniture, jewellery and more. Brings all ages together to support local artists and reduce empty local shops.
A multi-purpose arts centre in Deptford, south-east London. Facilities include a flexible performance space holding up to 300 seated or 500 standing and a bar, two studio theatres, a performance cafe and rehearsal / meeting rooms.
IRIE! Dance theatre has a very comprehensive education programme. The company provides African and Caribbean dance and drumming workshops and classes for children as young as 5 years old through to adults. Accredited by University Of Roehampton.
Small pub theatre with a programme of plays and film viewings, focused on promoting new writing.
Changing many young lives through theatre since 1987. Inspiring projects for ages 3 – 24 years old. There’s no auditions and no fees.
Vote for your favourite creative business.
7. Best independent high street business
Lewisham is blessed with a cornucopia of businesses which bring something unique to our high streets. What’s your favourite? Here are our finalists:
Handmade, award-winning bottled cocktail specialist. Bottled cocktails and infusions are all handmade from start to finish.
British and Scandinavian inspired homewares, clothing for children, shoes, creative toys, books and gifts.
Beautiful fresh and dried flowers for sale, as well as house plants and garden plants, pots and pot hangers. You can enjoy the flowers, plants and surroundings whilst having a cup of tea, slice of cake or a coffee.
Authentic Italian Delicatessen in the heart of Lewisham.
Moon Lane Ink is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company dedicated to raising equality in children's books.
Vote now for Lewisham’s best high street business.
8. Best café
Where do you grab your morning coffee or a sandwich for lunch? Let’s celebrate Lewisham’s cafés. Here are our finalists.
Coffee bar and upscale cafe. International coffees, bagels, waffles, paninis and more. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options.
Serving proper coffee, healthy & hearty breakfast, brunch and lunch.
Relaxed haunt serving bubble and squeak breakfasts, big day-time menu in cosy setting, plus wifi.
Le Delice is known for amazing Boulangerie and French pastries.
Cafe, open 7 days a week serving house made food and hosting events.
Vote now, for Lewisham's best cafe.
9. Best restaurant
We are lucky to have a huge number of fantastic restaurants in Lewisham, serving incredible food that represents the vibrant mix of cultures in the borough. Which do you think deserves to win? Here are the finalists:
Bringing the most delicious Jamaican flavours with food for the soul.
Everest Inn explores progressive Nepalese and Indian cuisines while maintaining traditional integrity.
Independent restaurant using fresh seasonal produce in an eclectic globally inspired menu. A carefully curated wine list is available as well as cocktails and homemade drinks.
Family run business Italian Restaurant based perfect for Italian dishes, pizzas and social occasions.
Providing delicious cuisine from Eurpe to the Caribbean. Variety of excellent food, prepared with the freshest and finest ingredients.
Modern restaurant serving Turkish and Mediterranean food, meze to moussaka, with outside dining area.
Vote for Lewisham’s best restaurant now.
10. Best bar or pub
Which of Lewisham's brilliant bars and pubs gets your vote? Here are the finalists.
Hither Green's little local serving the finest beers, wines and cocktails.
Providing the best in cocktails, entertainment, live music and nightlife. Somewhere you can go out and enjoy your day or night.
Cosy pub serving classic plates, BBQ & wine in a wood-panelled space, plus a garden & Sunday roasts.
Real ales and imported lagers are served at this traditional pub.
British cooking, including Sunday roasts offered in a sunny dining room.
Vote for your favourite local bar or pub now.
11. Best hair and beauty
We’re fortunate to have so many businesses in Lewisham that are dedicated to helping us look our best. Who do you think should win? These are our finalists.
Award Winning Unisex Hair Salon in Honor Oak offering a range of hair and beauty services.
A team of highly skilled professionals offering a range of treatments including medical grade laser hair removal, anti-ageing facials, colon hydrotherapy, nails and more.
Good quality haircuts from under £10
Traditional barbers.
A safe NO JUDGEMENT hair salon that welcomes everybody!
Vote for your favourite hair and beauty business.
12. Best independent food retailer
Lewisham is a foodie borough with a huge number of independent food stores selling a delicious range of produce to inspire home cooks. Which is your winner? These are our finalists:
Coffee and bottle shop with exceptional meat and cheese and selection of Neal’s Yard cheeses too.
Authentic Italian Delicatessen in the heart of Lewisham.
- Turkish Food Centre
Traditional Turkish, Cypriot and Iranian bread, Turkish pastries, savouries, food and sweets all week.
Artisan bakery selling retail and wholesale customers. Our products include sourdough bread, pastries, pasties, quiches, pies and desserts.
Family run world food supermarket.
Vote now for your favourite indie food retailer.
13. Best tradesperson
Tradespeople are the fuel that keeps Lewisham running. Who wins your vote? These are our finalists:
A new glass shop in Catford offering a wide range of residential and commercial glazing services.
- Mister Cobbler
Offers shoe repairs, key cutting and engraving.
Provides a wide range of plumbing and heating services from gas installation to boiler maintenance across the borough and beyond.
Specialists in the servicing and repair of domestic and commercial appliances.
The local go-to 'man with a van' - whether you’re moving home, or office; need to collect furniture or need a hand transporting equipment to events.
Vote now for your favourite local tradesperson.
14. Best market
Lewisham’s markets provide an important service to the borough’s residents and visitors, supplying a wide range of products and strengthening community ties. Which is your favourite? Here are our finalists.
Bustling Saturday market for local fresh produce, artisan breads and pastries, plants and flowers.
Visit Catford Food Market for an authentic mix of local food traders, live music and good vibes. Held on the last Sunday of every month
Lewisham market began in 1906 and is today one of a handful of six-day markets in London. Situated in the centre of Lewisham, in front of Lewisham Shopping Centre, the market is within easy reach of transport links. Selling a wide range of goods.
Family-run weekly Food & Farmers market launching in Beckenham Place Park. This new market with a strong local trader and produce focus, is the perfect place to support the local community by doing your weekly food shop at the market but also sampling some delicious hot food with flavours from around the world!
The market takes place every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from around 7am until 4pm, in Deptford High Street, Douglas Way and the junction with Giffin Street.