Winners Unveiled at 2025 Stirling Business Awards
Stirling’s independent business owners were recognised for their achievements and rewarded with trophies at the city’s annual Business Awards ceremony last night.
Article Source: Go Forth Stirling
Last Updated: 7 March 2025 16:09
The winners of 12 honours at the Stirling Business Awards 2025 were unveiled during an evening of celebration organised by Go Forth Stirling BID and held in the city’s Albert Halls.
Outstanding individuals plus exceptional business owners and their teams were presented with awards in a variety of categories with the winners chosen following a selection process which saw more than 26,000 public votes cast.
Among the winners was renowned archaeologist Dr Murray Cook who scooped the Outstanding Contribution to Stirling Award for his work, including archaeological digs, guided walks and lectures, in raising awareness of Stirling’s rich history and landscape.
Another notable professional recognised at the Awards was Professor Leigh Sparks who was honoured with the event’s first Lifetime Achievement Award for his expertise and services to the business community.
As Professor of Retail Studies at the University of Stirling and Chair of Scotland's Towns Partnership, he is well-known for shaping national retail strategies, championing the needs of independent businesses and highlighting the challenges they face.
Danielle McRorie-Smith, Project Director of Go Forth Stirling BID (Business Improvement District), hosted last night’s black-tie event.
She said: “It was wonderful to see Dr Cook and Professor Sparks recognised for the important work and research they have carried out in their respective fields over several decades and for the invaluable support they have shown Stirling’s business community.
“Our third annual business awards proved to be an amazing night and we are thrilled with the ongoing support for our awards scheme which highlights and rewards the city’s thriving independent sector.”
This year, the Charity of the Year Award was won by environmental charity Transition Stirling which runs a range of community and sustainability projects including a Tool Library and Stirling Reuse Hub.
The award was sponsored by the Thistles and presented by Centre Director Gary Turnbull.
He said: "We are delighted to sponsor the Charity of the Year category – something that is close to our hearts at the Centre with our ongoing community charitable outreach programme.
“Huge congratulations to the very deserving award winner Transition Stirling and to all the finalists who have demonstrated the impact they have on Stirling and the wider community."
Meanwhile, technology hub CodeBase Stirling won the Business Support Services of the Year Award for the second year running.
The award was sponsored by STEP Scotland and presented by Mike Barclay, Director of Business Support.
He said: “At STEP, we are passionate about championing local businesses. Through our close collaboration with the BID team, we ensure businesses in the city centre receive the support they need to thrive. That’s why we’re proud to sponsor the Business Support Services category at this year’s Stirling Business Awards.
“Huge congratulations to the winner Codebase and to all the shortlisted businesses—your dedication, resilience and innovation are what make our business community so strong.”
Ms McRorie-Smith welcomed around 150 guests from Stirling’s business and civic communities, social enterprise and charitable sector to last night’s event.
The gala evening was compered by DJs from Central FM and featured an entertaining set from marketing creative John Thornton who writes “daft things on the internet” for companies including startup cereal company Surreal Cereal.
Guests also enjoyed a rousing and energetic performance from six-piece bagpipe pop band the Rollin Drones with their unique mix of contemporary hits and traditional Scottish tunes.
Ms McRorie-Smith said: “We enjoyed a wonderful evening at the Albert Halls and it was fantastic to see so many business owners and employees - who work across Stirling’s diverse independent scene - come together to celebrate in style.
“We were delighted to once again host a successful evening which showcased Stirling’s enterprising business owners and I’d like to congratulate all the winners and finalists and thank our generous sponsors.”
Trophies were handed out in various award categories including Retailer of the Year which was won by Friars Street store Europa Music owned by Ewen Duncan.
It was third time lucky for the shop which is the largest vinyl record store in Scotland and has been a haven for music lovers for more than 30 years. Europa Music reached the finals of the Retailer category last year and in 2023 and their well-deserved win last night delighted loyal customers.
The award for Stirling’s Café/Coffee Shop of the Year went to Forthside café Toast – a popular brunch and lunch destination run by Claudia Stewart.
Meanwhile, the city’s Pub of the Year honour was awarded for a second time to Scottish bar Slanj-A-Va who were the first choice of 57% of voters.
Stirling’s Restaurant of the Year was won by family-run venue Fletcher’s while Erol’s Tailor Shop, based in Allan Park, won Service-led Business of the Year.
The award for Stirling’s Hair & Beauty Business of the Year was won by King Street salon Simpson & Co who were recipients of the New Business of the Year Award last year.
The team from Stirling Distillery, run by the McCann family, were delighted to be named the city’s Visitor Attraction of the Year while Port Street café White Dove Coffee Roasters took away the honour for New Business of the Year 2025.
The full list of award winners is as follows:
Lifetime Achievement Award – Professor Leigh Sparks.
Outstanding Contribution to Stirling – Dr Murray Cook.
Charity of the Year (sponsored by the Thistles) – Transition Stirling.
Restaurant of the Year – Fletcher’s.
Service-led Business of the Year – Erol’s Tailor Shop.
Café/Coffee Shop of the Year – Toast.
Retailer of the Year – Europa Music.
Visitor Attraction of the Year – Stirling Distillery.
Pub/Bar of the Year – Slanj-A-Va.
Business Support Services of the Year (sponsored by STEP Scotland) – CodeBase Stirling.
Hair & Beauty Business of the Year – Simpson & Co Hair Salon.
New Business of the Year – White Dove Coffee Roasters.
For full details of all the winners visit www.goforthstirling.co.uk/business-awards/
The Stirling Business Awards 2025 showcased the entrepreneurial business owners and teams behind Stirling's flourishing independent community.
The event also included a charity raffle, with prizes generously provided by city businesses, and an auction for a stunning necklace donated by Stirling jewellers Ian Gallacher which together raised £2,500 for last year’s Charity of the Year award winner Start-up Stirling.
Go Forth Stirling is the city’s BID representing 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
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