THE Lyme Business Awards took place at Lyme Regis Golf Club in September, celebrating the outstanding businesses and organisations that make Lyme Regis a special place to live, work and visit.
Launched in 2020 by Marketing West, the awards are designed not just to showcase success but to help local enterprises grow. Research shows that winners from the first year reported an average 39% increase in sales and 63% increase in profits.
This year’s ceremony was hosted by Nigel Reeve of Marketing West, who has built an awards' model that uses recognition to fuel business development. Lyme Regis Town Council supported the event as a sponsor.
The event was officially opened by the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Philip Evans MBE, he said “These awards show just how many fantastic businesses make up our Lyme Regis community. Every finalist and winner should feel proud of their contribution to the life of our town.”
Business of the Year went to Sandro’s, who also scooped Gold in the Family Business and Restaurant of the Year categories.
The Green/Eco Award recognised two organisations leading the way on sustainability, Little Green Change and Turn Lyme Green.
Clare Matheson, founder of Little Green Change said; “We’re overjoyed to have scooped gold in the Green/Eco Award category, it means so much to have the support and recognition of our community, and this award helps bring pride to the environmental education and action work we’ve undertaken over the past year.”
Little Green Change went on to win an International Green Apple Environment Award in September for their Biodiversity in Schools Project, placing Lyme Regis on the global stage for environmental leadership. The organisation, represented by founder Clare Matheson, attended the event as a finalist and a sponsor.
Other gold winners included:
- FSB Homes for the Outstanding Customer Service award
- Your Body and Mind PT for the Community Support award
- Eat: Millside for the Independent Business award
- The Lyme Bay Cafe and Bar for the Cafe, Pub & Casual Dining award
- Hamish and Milly from Milly's Ice Cream and Alex Francis from Stuido Horizons for the Young Entrepreneurs award
For Karl from the Lyme Bay Cafe and Bar, winning the Gold in Cafe, Pub and Casual Dining was a career highlight, he said " It's an incredible achievement that means so much to me. I moved here ten years ago, saw the premises and knew I just had to do it. I'm very proud of my team, without them, this recognition wouldn't be possible."
The Community Support award shone a spotlight on an essential organisation, the Lyme Regis Foodbank. This is a gold award business that has benefited from town council funding, alongside other gold award winners such as Little Green Change and Turn Lyme Green, showing how public support and investment helps local initiatives to thrive.
Several of the award-winning businesses are part of the town council's Gateway Scheme, which offers residents exclusive discounts and encourages local shopping and support for local business, they are:
- Lula Studio
- ElSilver
- Finishing Touch Hair Salon
- Sandro's
- Lyme Regis Brewery
- The Bell Cliff Restaurant
The scheme continues to grow, connecting residents with local businesses and helping to keep the town centre vibrant all year round.
If you own or manage a local business and would like to get involved in the scheme, email enquiries@lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk to find out more.
A bigger future for Lyme Business Awards...
The town council is keen to continue supporting the awards and help them to grow into an even bigger celebration of Lyme's business community in 2026.
A huge congratulations goes to all the winners and nominees of the Lyme Business Awards 2025.