Stirling Business Awards 2026 winners revealed including Outstanding Woman in Business
Stirling's business owners have been recognised for their achievements and rewarded with trophies in the 2026 Stirling Business Awards.
Article Source: Go Forth Stirling
Last Updated: 10 March 2026 12:49
The winners of 14 honours have been unveiled and trophies were presented to them by Go Forth Stirling Project Director Danielle McRorie-Smith during visits to their business premises.
The exceptional business owners, charitable organisations and their teams - plus the winner of the Outstanding Woman in Business Award – were chosen by the public during a final selection process which saw nearly 11,000 votes cast.
Among the winners was Strathcarron Hospice which scooped the Charity of the Year Award in the same year the organisation is marking 45 years of care after opening in 1981.
Strathcarron CEO Mags McCarthy said: “We really are overwhelmed with this show of recognition from the people of Stirling and would like to say a huge thank you to those who voted for us to be Charity of the Year in the Stirling Business Awards.
“This is a huge honour and privilege and reflects the regard to which our wonderful community holds us. Everything we do in our community, is for our community, and with our community, to enable people to live and die well.
“To receive this accolade in our 45th anniversary year makes the award even more special and we hope to be here for another 45 providing vital care for palliative and end of life patients and their loved ones.”
Meanwhile, Khyra Smith was awarded the Outstanding Woman in Business Award for her inspirational volunteer work with ‘safe haven’ charity Safebase.
Khyra, who works as a customer service adviser, volunteers with Safebase where she and her colleagues patrol the streets of Stirling and Falkirk at weekends to provide first aid and support to people who need help.
She said: “I’ve been volunteering with Safebase for about four years now and I really enjoy helping those who need support and meeting different people.
“I was quite surprised to be nominated but it meant a lot and then it was eye opening to hear how many people were voting for me and to win was just amazing. I’m only 21 and feel absolutely honoured to receive this award – I always try to do the best I can so this will inspire me to continue doing that.”
The annual awards, which are in their fourth year, are organised by Go Forth Stirling BID (Business Improvement District).
Ms McRorie-Smith said: “The Stirling Business Awards have once again been well supported by the business community and the public and we were delighted to recognise and reward our entrepreneurial business owners and their teams.
“The Awards were slightly different this year as we decided not to host an evening ceremony, but we really enjoyed going out to the business premises of all the winners and presenting them with their trophies.
“It was wonderful to see the surprise and delight on their faces when we revealed they had won and a couple became quite emotional as they spoke about how much the award meant to them and their colleagues. That was wonderful to hear.”
Trophies were handed out in 14 award categories including Independent Retailer of the Year which was won by The Scottish Gantry, based in Stirling Arcade, and Retailer of the Year won by Marks & Spencer.
Popular Irish pub Molly Malones was named Bar/Club of the Year while the honour for Stirling’s Café of the Year went to Port Street venue Janna’s Bakery.
Owner Janna Koc, who recently opened a new Turkish restaurant named Tava in the city centre, was overjoyed to win after being shortlisted on several occasions over the years.
She said: “I’m proud and over the moon to win – it’s a very nice feeling! It was quite unexpected and I appreciate the great support we’ve had from the community and all our followers. It means the world to me.”
Stirling’s Restaurant of the Year was won by Friars Street fine dining restaurant An Darna while the award for Stirling’s Hair & Beauty Business of the Year was won by the Studio Twenty Two salon on Barnton Street.
Boutique hotel King Street Aparthotel, founded by Neil Munday and Paul Murray, was named Accommodation of the Year while Crafted Dental, run by Caitlin Watson, won the award for Service-led Business of the Year.
Mr Munday said: “We’re delighted to win the award which comes after our first full season of trading. It’s great to be recognised in a city with lots of accommodation providers and is testament to the hard work which is put in especially by our housekeeping and maintenance teams.
“They consistently keep on top of everything, and our reviews reflect this with many comments about our attention to detail and cleanliness.”
Dr Watson, who opened her dental practice last April, said: “We’re really chuffed to win the Service-led Business of the Year Award as it is a real recognition of how well we are treating people and reflects the positive reviews and messages we receive from clients about their experience with us.”
Popular takeaway Souperb, which specialises in homemade soup, was the winner of New Business of the Year while the team from Stirling Castle were delighted to be named the city’s Visitor Attraction of the Year.
The Most Attractive Shop Front award was won by King Street store Made in Stirling while the Charity Shop of the Year was SOSN (Something Old Something New), based in the Thistles, which raises funds for research into Parkinson’s Disease.
SOSN was set up by John Lange whose life changed forever when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2005 at the age of 44. After initially founding a support group for younger people with Parkinson’s, John went on to establish SOSN in 2015 as a not-for-profit business he runs with his wife Anne.
He said: “I am absolutely chuffed to bits to receive this award. It’s all down to the fantastic service our team of volunteers provides to our customers and Anne and I are truly grateful for their support and the generosity with which they give their time.”
The full list of award winners is as follows:
Outstanding Woman in Business – Khyra Smith of Safebase
Charity of the Year – Strathcarron Hospice
Restaurant of the Year – An Darna
Café/Coffee Shop of the Year – Janna’s Bakery
Independent Retailer of the Year – The Scottish Gantry
Retailer of the Year – Marks & Spencer
Visitor Attraction of the Year – Stirling Castle
Pub/Bar of the Year – Molly Malones
Hair & Beauty Business of the Year – Studio Twenty Two
New Business of the Year – Souperb
Accommodation of the Year – King Street Aparthotel
Service-led Business of the Year – Crafted Dental
Charity Shop of the Year – SOSN
Most Attractive Shop Front – Made in Stirling
The Stirling Business Awards showcase the hardworking owners and teams behind Stirling's flourishing business community.
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
Sponsored Links
Latest Stirling News
Scottish secondary schools can fundraise to feed hungry children
Secondary schools across Scotland can fundraise to feed an entire school of hungry children by signing up for a charity's life-changing Feed A School initiative.
READ MORE
Stirling Highland Games Announces Jackie Pirie as Chieftain for 2026
Stirling Highland Games is proud to announce that Jackie Pirie, the Stirling born television actress, acclaimed author and arts advocate, will serve as Chieftain of the Stirling Highland Games 2026.
READ MORE
FREE Event: Discover super powered plants at Dobbies Little Seedlings Club
Dobbies' free-to-attend children's gardening workshop is here for the month of May, giving children the chance to discover the 'Power of Plants'.
READ MORE
Snap up free tickets to The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Glasgow or Edinburgh
The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show, Scotland's only dedicated consumer exhibition for self-builders, home renovators and improvers, is back and we have free tickets up for grabs!
READ MORE
Voters across Stirling and Clackmannanshire urged to register to vote
Voters in the Stirling Constituency and the Clackmannanshire and Dunblane Constituency for the Scottish Parliament election on 7th May must make sure they are registered in time.
READ MORE
Harviestoun Brewery pop up returns with beer, bites & mischief on tap
Award-winning Scottish brewer Harviestoun, at the foot of the Ochils, is throwing open its brewery doors for a lively pop-up taproom event on Friday 24th April.
READ MORE
Stirling Council to operate year round Trossachs Explorer bus service
Stirling Council has agreed to take over the operation of the Trossachs Explorer bus service on a two-year pilot, starting this summer.
READ MORE
Spring clean shoes to protect heritage, urges National Trust for Scotland
With warmer days on the way, visitors to gardens at National Trust for Scotland places are being asked to follow biosecurity measures throughout the spring and summer seasons.
READ MORE
Fan favourites return to Vue venues in Scotland this spring
Vue is bringing a roster of much-loved film favourites back to the big screen this spring as part of a special anniversary season celebrating some of Hollywood’s most iconic titles.
READ MORE
New clean up event to take place across Stirling at end of May
Stirling Council is encouraging communities across Stirling to join in a special clean-up event on 30th and 31st May to enhance the quality of local environments and increase community pride.
READ MORE
Aldi calls on shoppers across Scotland to donate pet food in stores this National Pet Month
Aldi is encouraging shoppers in Scotland to donate pet food at its in-store community donation points this April to mark National Pet Month.
READ MORE
Forth Valley celebrates successful Food, Drink and Tourism Month 2026
Forth Valley's food, drink and tourism sector has been firmly in the spotlight following a highly successful Food, Drink and Tourism Business Month.
READ MORE
Taste the movie in 4DX with new Super Mario themed popcorn upgrade at Cineworld
Cineworld is inviting audiences to power up their cinema visit like never before, with the launch of a limited-edition Galactic popcorn topper created to complement the full sensory immersion of 4DX.
READ MORE
Sound Bites Festival brings boost for Alloa town centre and local producers
Alloa town centre enjoyed a surge of visitors as Sound Bites Festival returned on 28th March, delivering a day of live music, street food and family entertainment with a country and western twist.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Springfest is back
Get ready for a brilliant weekend at the free Loch Lomond Springfest on 4th and 5th April, featuring world-class chefs, wild foraging, tasty street food and non-stop family fun for all ages!
READ MORE
Top family days and dining deals to enjoy in Scotland this Easter
Families looking to make the most of the Easter holidays in Scotland will find plenty to enjoy over the break!
READ MORE
Spring starts with Dobbies Spring Shopping Evening
Celebrate the colours of spring at Dobbies Spring Shopping Evening, a free-to-attend evening event dedicated to outdoor living and seasonal inspiration, taking place on Thursday 2nd April!
READ MORE
New series of drama workshops launches in Stirling to give refugees a voice through storytelling
A new drama and storytelling project bringing together Ukrainian, Afghan, Sudanese, Syrian and other refugees and local communities is set to launch in Stirling.
READ MORE
Last chance to enter for lunch with George Clooney
Entries are closing soon for the chance to have lunch with Hollywood icon George Clooney as part of itison's fundraising campaign for Social Bite.
READ MORE
Doors set to reopen across the country to some of the most iconic historic sites in Scotland
More than 40 historic seasonal sites across the country will reopen to visitors from Wednesday 1st April, as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) marks the start of its spring/summer season.
READ MORE
One of the best loved food brands in the country is bringing back its popular Golden Easter Hunt
Launching just in time for the school holidays, this year it's set to be bigger, bolder and even more exciting - and it's free for anyone to enter!
READ MORE
Spectacular stage productions to enjoy at Vue this spring
To celebrate World Theatre Day (27 March), Vue is highlighting upcoming theatre and opera productions showing on the big screen.
READ MORE
Theatre group performing Come From Away discovers real life links to September 11
Family link to 9/11 story behind Stirling's Come From Away production.
READ MORE
Trio of major funders back emergency heritage rescue at historic Bannockburn House
Good news really does come in threes for the community campaign dedicated to saving one of Scotland's most historic homes.
READ MORE
Young people lead boost for community projects across Forth Valley and Lomond
A new pump track, music workshops and a community food initiative that has helped deliver more than 3,000 meals were among youth-led projects celebrated at Callander Youth Project.
READ MORE
Green light for Stirling city trail that will transform visitor experience
Exciting plans to create a new interpretation and wayfinding trail that will transform the visitor experience in Stirling have been approved.
READ MORE
Come and experience the Ideal Home Show Scotland this Spring
Scotland's biggest home event is back at Glasgow SEC from 22nd - 25th May 2026 and we're delighted to offer free tickets to our readers!
READ MORE
Summer events taking place at historic sites across Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland has announced its summer events programme, with events taking place at iconic heritage sites across the country!
READ MORE
Stirling Council announces pilot of two new rural bus services
Stirling Council is launching a two-year pilot of two new bus services to improve connections between rural communities in the western part of the council area.
READ MORE
Hop into Easter at Dobbies with Gabbys Dollhouse Little Seedlings Club
Dobbies is teaming up with Gabby's Dollhouse to bring an extra special spring themed experience to families at its free-to-attend Little Seedlings Club on 4th April, packed with fun and creativity.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links