Milly's Cake House, Russell Fewins, Hollywood Performing Arts and ellenor are among the Dartford Business Awards 2026 winners. Every category, in full.

Milly’s Cake House is Dartford’s Shop of the Year, and the hospice charity ellenor has won the award for doing most good for society. They are among the winners of the 2026 Dartford Business Awards, which Dartford Borough Council has now published in full.

The awards night was held on Thursday 8 October in the Grand Marquee at Bluewater. The council, which organises the awards, says more than 100 local businesses took part this year (Dartford Borough Council).

A judging panel and the sponsors chose the winners. Commended businesses were named on the night as well, and both went on stage to collect certificates.

The winners, category by category

Best Owner Managed Business (sponsored by The Nucleus/Oxford Innovation Space and ARC UK):

  • Russell Fewins Limited, winner, big business
  • Hollywood Performing Arts, winner, small business
  • Guys N Dolls, commended

Shop of the Year (sponsored by Bluewater):

  • Milly’s Cake House, winner
  • Guys N Dolls, commended
  • Harden Holidays, commended

Employee of the Year (sponsored by The Learning Shop):

  • Jordan Weeks, The Priory Shopping Centre, winner
  • Sarah Leppard, Dean’s Gentlemen’s Salon, commended

Good for the Community (sponsored by Amazon LCY3):

  • Go Local, winner, small business
  • The Priory Shopping Centre, winner, big business
  • Polash Indian Takeaway, commended

Good for Society (sponsored by Fox Estate Agents and Downton & Ali Associates):

  • ellenor, winner
  • Arrow Riding Centre for the Disabled, commended

Dartford Living Customer’s Choice Award (sponsored by Dartford Living):

  • Gary Linton Estate Agent, winner
  • Community Church Café/The Lounge, commended
  • Massage Therapy, commended
  • The Ro Studio, commended

Bluewater Award (sponsored by Bluewater):

  • Five Guys, food and beverages
  • VodafoneThree and Menkind, retail
  • Ballerz, services and leisure

Two special awards went to named people and firms:

  • the Long Service Award to Tina Moseley at Tini’s Boutique
  • the Community Award to Ray-Cay Holdings Ltd

The Young Person’s Award (sponsored by North Kent College and FCC Environment) recognised six people. The council lists them without a single winner:

  • Ethan Barton, Cortec IT Solutions Ltd
  • Amy Rayner, Guys N Dolls
  • Elizabeth Rosskilly, Guys N Dolls
  • Grace Shaxted, North Kent College
  • Demi Cocks, North Kent College
  • Portia Nicholls, NHS Darent Valley Finance Team

Guys N Dolls had the busiest night on the list. It was commended in two categories and had two of its staff recognised in the Young Person’s Award. The Priory Shopping Centre won twice: once as a business and once through its Employee of the Year.

What the council said

Council leader Jeremy Kite said: “Dartford is home to some brilliant businesses, and the Business Awards are our chance to put them firmly in the spotlight.” He added: “Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and finalists.”

The night had an 1980s theme, with tribute acts and the local band Beer Pressure, according to the council.

What it means for you

If you want to back a winner. Most of the winners are independent businesses you can visit in the town or at Bluewater. A visit or a review does more for a small firm than a certificate.

If you run a business here. Entry to the awards is free, and the categories cover everything from sole traders to the borough’s biggest employers and charities. Details of next year’s awards will appear on the council’s awards page, and the team can be reached at businessawards@dartford.gov.uk.

If you have just started out. Our monthly new Dartford companies roundup shows who else is setting up in the borough.

Sources