Longlist Revealed for Stirling Business Awards 2025
The longlist for the 2025 Stirling Business Awards has been revealed as voting begins to select the winners of the annual honours.
Article Source: Go Forth Stirling
Last Updated: 13 November 2024 13:00
Twelve businesses have been selected for each awards category following a nominations process which attracted more than 2000 submissions.
There are eleven award categories – including Cafe of the Year, New Business of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to the City – and voting is now open via www.independentstirling.co.uk/awards
The Stirling Business Awards are run by Go Forth Stirling, the city’s Business Improvement District (BID), to recognise and reward independent business owners.
A shortlist of three businesses per category will be selected once voting closes next month with the winners announced during a ceremony at Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday March 6, 2025.
Go Forth Stirling Project Director Danielle McRorie-Smith said: “We’ve had a fantastic response to our third business awards which have become increasingly popular with the public and business community.
We launched them with the aim of recognising Stirling’s hardworking business owners and celebrating the city’s unique independent scene and are proud to continue to do that.
“We saw a diverse range of businesses, charities and other organisations nominated - and a total of 2,207 submissions - during the first round of voting and the most outstanding 12 in each category now feature on our longlist.
“The public can vote online for their favourite shop, pub, café, charity, hair & beauty salon, visitor attraction and other businesses from those listed in each category.
“At the end of the voting process, we’ll collate a shortlist of the top three businesses in each sector to go through to the final. And each of the winners will be revealed at our black-tie awards ceremony in March.”
The awards categories include Visitor Attraction of the Year with Stirling Castle, Escape Stirling, the Church of the Holy Rude, Christmas shop Tinsel & Tartan and Stirling Distillery among the 12 nominees.
Meanwhile, those longlisted for Restaurant of the Year include An Darna, Indian Cottage, Brea, Mint Leaf and The Portcullis.
Among the businesses nominated for Pub/Bar/Club of the Year are Molly Malones, Curly Coo Bar and King Cons while contenders for Retailer of the Year include Europa Music, Archie’s Pet Shop and Ginger Roots.
Further award categories feature Café/Coffee Shop of The Year, Hair & Beauty Business of the Year, Charity of the Year and New Business of the Year recognising businesses which began trading in 2024.
There is also a Business Support Services award for companies offering services such as graphic design and IT consultancy where nominees include Nettl, Computer Division and Codebase.
And a Service-led Business honour which features a variety of healthcare firms, solicitors, tailors and property letting companies.
The final award is the special honour of Outstanding Contribution to the City which was last year won by the team at Stirling Community Enterprise.
Those longlisted for the 2025 award include the Fairytale Trail, Stirling Photography Festival, Bloody Scotland, Bannockburn House Trust and Stirling Aid.
A full list of the businesses selected for the longlist in each category is available via a dedicated awards page on the Independent Stirling website - www.independentstirling.co.uk/awards
Voting for the 2025 awards will close on Friday December 20 with the shortlist announced in mid-January.
The Go Forth team is also seeking award sponsors from the city’s business community - including an overall main sponsor and sponsors for various categories.
Ms McRorie-Smith said: “We like to hear from anyone who is keen to demonstrate their commitment to Stirling and our flourishing business community by backing the awards.
“In return for sponsorship, we can offer a rewarding opportunity to position your brand alongside a high-profile, annual event which celebrates Stirling and all it has to offer.”
The business awards are one of Go Forth’s many initiatives aimed at highlighting and showcasing Stirling’s wide range of independent traders.
Go Forth Stirling BID represents more than 600 business owners with a key objective of increasing visitors to the city and devising initiatives to help make it a more welcoming destination for businesses and shoppers.
For more information, visit www.goforthstirling.co.uk
Image: The Smith Art Gallery & Museum won The Visitor Attraction of the Year award
Sponsored Links
Latest Stirling News
Vue to host marvellous superhero season welcoming classic X Men films back to the big screen for 25th anniversary
Film fans, families and comic book enthusiasts are invited to rediscover the original big screen superhero team as a series of classic X-Men films return to the big screen at Vue this month.
READ MORE
Kids Fly FareFREE on new Loganair routes
Families can take advantage of Loganair's new Kids Fly Fare-FREE offer, allowing children aged 11 and under to travel without paying an airfare.
READ MORE
Find out how foster caring in Stirling could work for you at drop in event
A drop-in event to attract new foster carers is being hosted by Stirling Council at the Raploch Campus on Friday, May 16th.
READ MORE
Delight as Wallace High Senior Girls retain Scottish Cup in style
Wallace High Senior Girls are the pride of Stirling after retaining the Scottish Cup in stunning style on Friday night in front of hundreds of delighted fans.
READ MORE
Lorraine Kelly meets the Loch Ness Monster Milker delivering Nessie Nectar across the UK
IRN-BRU XTRA has launched a custom milk float delivery service bringing limited-edition Nessie Nectar straight from the shores of Loch Ness to doors across the UK.
READ MORE
Safety and family time driving surge in adult swim lessons
Scottish adults are being encouraged to learn to swim this summer to boost water safety skills for the whole family.
READ MORE
New documentary tells the story of world record breaking Scottish brothers
A new documentary - now live on STV Player - tells the story of the Maclean Brothers and their self-confessed “piss poor” preparations the ocean adventure that lay ahead.
READ MORE
Wallace High Girls bid again for Scottish Cup glory
People across Stirling are being urged to cheer on Wallace High Senior Girls on Friday night (9 May) as they bid to retain the Scottish Cup.
READ MORE
David Attenborough and Eurovision steal the spotlight at Vue venues in Scotland this month
Audiences are invited to travel the globe - both musically and visually - this May, as both David Attenborough and Eurovision head to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
The Royal Yacht Britannia Exhibition and Retail Experience are shipshape and ready to welcome visitors
2025 marks the next chapter in The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust’s legacy with the opening of a brand-new, world-class visitor centre with exhibition and retail experience.
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival rounds off biggest event yet with Happy Mondays and STREETrave Classical
Pavilion Festival has rounded off its biggest ever event with over 16,000 music fans enjoying three days of non-stop live music and feel good vibes on Ayr’s iconic Low Green.
READ MORE
Cineworld announces first ever 4DX Family Day
For one day only, families can experience Moana, Paddington, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in immersive 4DX at all 34 Cineworld 4DX screens nationwide.
READ MORE
Brand new show Something About Lennon opens UK tour this month with Scottish dates
Celebration of the iconic late Beatle's life and music will be performed at 26 venues nationwide.
READ MORE
Celebrate Fathers Day in Style with Dobbies Sunday Lunch and Planting Experience
This June, Dobbies Garden Centres is presenting a brand-new way to celebrate Father’s Day, combining a hearty Sunday roast with a hands-on grow-your-own herb planting workshop.
READ MORE
Blue Light Awards Scotland to honour emergency services heroes
Nominations for the Blue Light Awards Scotland, recognising the courage, commitment and community spirit of our Blue Light Services, are now open.
READ MORE
Funding awarded to seven projects for tree planting in cities and towns across Scotland
The Urban Forestry Programme is supporting projects in urban areas to help more people experience the benefits of trees.
READ MORE
Culture Night Stirling 2026 announced
Stirling Council and local partners are delighted to announce a new annual celebration of culture, which will see the area come alive at night with an exciting range of events and activities.
READ MORE
IRN BRU proposes Kelpies mythical makeover to honour our national animal
IRN-BRU thinks it’s time for Scotland’s unicorns to finally toot their own horn - by giving one of the country’s most iconic sculptures a magical makeover.
READ MORE
Rory McIlroy Confirmed for Genesis Scottish Open
Newly-crowned Masters Tournament champion Rory McIlroy is set to compete for a second Genesis Scottish Open title!
READ MORE
Major milestone reached in new flood defence scheme for Bridge of Allan
A new £16 million flood prevention scheme for Bridge of Allan has taken a significant step forward following approval to procure a contract to design and build the defences.
READ MORE
Holding Back The Years: 40 Years of Simply Red in cinemas May 15
To celebrate 40 years of legendary music, Simply Red are releasing their concert film 'Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago' on the big screen.
READ MORE
This May bank holiday weekend sees 3 day festival take over Ayr Beach and the sun is set to shine!
Pavilion Festival 2025: From Big Top, live music to secret gigs - here's what to expect!
READ MORE
Fun for all the family at the 36th annual Scottish Game Fair
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair is back for its 36th year at Scone Palace, taking place 4th - 6th July 2025.
READ MORE
Free Glorious Grass gardening workshop for children at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres are welcoming children across the UK to join in on the fun this May to uncover all there is to know about grass at its free Little Seedlings Club workshop.
READ MORE
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain for 2025 is named
Stirling Highland Games have announcement that former Scotland Women’s rugby internationalist Lyndsay O'Donnell has been appointed as their honorary chieftain for 2025.
READ MORE
Market set to bring flavours and crafts from around the world to Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond Shores is hosting a continental market on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of May!
READ MORE
Landmark active travel project in Stirling officially opens
A ground-breaking active travel network that will transform how people get around Stirling and the wider region has officially opened.
READ MORE
New Bluey collection comes to cinemas for the May Bank Holiday
Bluey at the Cinema: Let's Play Chef Collection will be playing in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Saturday 3rd May, just in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.
READ MORE
New and exclusive Heritage Planting and Afternoon Tea experience comes to Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a new hands-on planting and afternoon tea experience inspired by the RHS Chelsea Garden Show and Dobbies' 160-year heritage.
READ MORE
Stories of inspiring young women sought by charity
The Young Women’s Movement, Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights, is seeking nominations for its tenth annual 30 Under 30 list.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links