Bridport Business Awards 2026: Celebrating a Thriving Local Business Community at The Bull Hotel

What a brilliant afternoon at the Bridport Business Awards 2026 (organised by Marketing West), held at the iconic Bull Hotel in Bridport. We were delighted to be invited to attend - and even more honoured to stand in for Footeprints to present the Community Award, recognising the fantastic organisations and individuals who make such a difference in Bridport.

Although The Bull Hotel is currently closed to the public while it undergoes refurbishment, the awards were hosted in one of their beautiful function rooms, and it was the perfect setting for such a special occasion. We were treated to a lovely lunchtime spread, and the whole event had a great atmosphere; relaxed, celebratory, and full of local pride.

Bridport really does have such a thriving business community, packed full of independents and passionate local teams. It’s always inspiring to see the innovation, resilience and heart behind so many businesses in the area, and this year’s awards were a wonderful celebration of that.

A huge congratulations to every business and organisation who entered or was nominated this year. The standard was incredibly high, and it’s clear Bridport is bursting with talent across every sector.

Congratulations to the 2026 Winners

Here are this year’s winners as shared by the organisers from Marketing West:

Overall Business of the Year
The Electric Palace (Kindly sponsored by Brown & Brown Insurance)
A huge congratulations to The Electric Palace, not only a local favourite but also a true cultural treasure for Bridport.

Independent Business (Sponsored by Gavin Dixon Finance Solutions)
Baboo Gelato
Mercato Italiano

Best Place to Work (Sponsored by West Dorset Magazine)
ASCape
Head Sheerin Barbers
Home-Start Wessex

New Business of the Year – The Clive Hayward Award (Sponsored by St Michael’s Trading Estate)
Wine World
Tallentire Tailored Living

Hospitality (Sponsored by Johnsons Linen)
Rubicon Kitchen
The Stableyard Restaurant

Family Business (Sponsored by Bridport Business Chamber)
A.G. Down
West Dorset Leisure Holidays
Derek Smith Garden Services

The Community Award (Sponsored by Footeprints)
The Hurt Locker
Bridmet
St Mary’s Park Run
Bridport Arts Centre

It was a real privilege to present this award — Bridport is so lucky to have community organisations like these who consistently support others and help the town thrive.

Green / Eco (Sponsored by Porter Dodson)
Reconnoitre Ltd
Ellward Smith Electrical

My Favourite Business (Sponsored by Pineapple Estate)
Clocktower Records
The Hurt Locker
The Electric Palace

Customer Service (Sponsored by West Dorset Leisure Holidays)
Smith & Smith
Sunny Days Nursery

Rising Star / Young Entrepreneur (Sponsored by Bridport Town Council)
Amelia Burt of STAGS Estate Agents
Joanna House of The Five Bells Inn

Huge Thanks to the Sponsors

Events like this simply wouldn’t happen without the generous support of local sponsors - a big thank you to:

• Brown & Brown Insurance
• Porter Dodson
• St Michael’s Trading Estate
• Gavin Dixon Finance Solutions Ltd
• Bridport & West Bay Business Chamber
• Bridport Town Council
• Pineapple Estate

A Brilliant Afternoon for Bridport

From independents and hospitality heroes to rising stars and community champions, today’s awards showed exactly why Bridport is such a special place to do business.

Congratulations again to all winners and finalists, and thank you to everyone who entered, nominated, organised and supported the awards. I’m already looking forward to next year.

Bridport Business Awards