The full shortlist for the LoveNUL Business Awards 2026 has now been revealed, with another 35 companies, individuals and community groups announced as finalists.
The awards, which recognise organisations and people making a contribution in Newcastle-under-Lyme, have attracted more than 500 nominations this year, with 60 businesses shortlisted.
Daily Focus reported last week that public voting is taking place in six categories.
The final seven category shortlists are:
| Customer Service of the Year – Anasma Greek Bakery – Arta Meiksane, Mellards Bar – Kevin Lownds Funeral Services – Ruby at Piccoloco – Specsavers Newcastle-under-Lyme | New Business of the Year – Ascot Formal Suit Hire – Castletown Podzamcze – Community Cupboard NUL CIC – EM Beauty Clinic – The One Boutique |
| Market & Event Trader of the Year – Backyard Burgers – Calisi’s Cookies – Cannonball Records – Taylor’s Flowers and Plants – The Antique’s Forum | Visitor Attraction of the Year – Apedale Heritage Centre – Brampton Museum – New Vic Theatre – Philip Astley Centre – The Rigger |
| Community Connector Award – ArtBox – Castle Creatives – Community Cupboard NUL CIC – PoGo Newcastle-under-Lyme | Newcastle Ambassador of the Year – Andrew Van Buren – Elise Turner – Jamie Wells – Jenna Goodwin – Nick Degg |
| Unsung Hero of the Year – Ben Betts – Caring Hands and More – King Street Congregational Church Foodbank – LifeWorks – The Lyme Trust |
These shortlists were selected by judging panels made up of representatives from the award organisers, Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District (BID), and each category’s award sponsor.
Sponsors of these categories are Thompson Wright, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, New Vic Theatre, University of Staffordshire, KMF, We Are Staffordshire, and Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce.
More than 160 guests are expected to attend the fourth LoveNUL Business Awards at St Giles’ Church on Friday, 9 October.
Charl Pearce, BID Manager at Newcastle-under-Lyme BID, said: “We’ve had another brilliant response to the awards this year. More than 500 nominations were submitted and so far over 2,000 votes have been cast across six categories, which shows just how much people value the businesses, individuals and community groups we have here in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
“We’ve loved reading the stories behind the nominations. Some of those shortlisted are very visible in the town while others are quietly getting on with brilliant work behind the scenes, but they all make a genuine difference.
“With the full shortlist now revealed, we’re looking forward to bringing more than 160 people together at St Giles’ Church to celebrate them. Narrowing the nominations down was no easy job for our judging panel and we can’t wait to reveal the winners on the night.”
The public vote is open until 11.59pm on Friday, 18 September.
