Inspire Business Awards: Small Business of the Year

The companies are in the running for the Small Business of the Year category.

These businesses are Yamazaki Sushi Bar, Swingate Marketing & Design, The Hampshire Vet, and Physical Balance

The final ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 17, when the Inspire Business Awards 2025 will recognise businesses from Basingstoke and Deane.

Four finalists are bidding for glory in the Small Business of the Year category at the Inspire Business Awards 2025. (Image: Sarah Gaunt Photography) The event will see individuals and companies from the borough contend for the top spot in 12 categories.

There will also be the coveted Winner of Winners Award.

The Inspire Business Awards 2025 finalists and sponsors are:

Large Business of the Year – sponsored by Shaw Gibbs

• Reassured

• Festival Place

Medium Business of the Year – sponsored by Phillips Law

• ASK Technology Limited

• CarFest Management Limited

• Clone

Small Business of the Year – sponsorship still available

• Yamazaki Sushi Bar

• Swingate Marketing & Design

• The Hampshire Vet

• Physical Balance

Wellbeing Champion – sponsorship still available

• Simpila Wellbeing

• Inclusion Education

• The Hampshire Vet

Young Business Person of the Year – sponsored by Minuteman Press

• Jack Gallagher

• Jade Kelly

• Gabriella Bramah

Rural Business of the Year – sponsored by Worting House

• Hydes Cyder

• Barnsgrove

• The Yard Hampshire

Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by Basingstoke College of Technology

• Tallulah Crawford

• Demi-Leigh Charlton

• Kyle Purkis

Sustainable Champion – sponsorship still available

• St. Michael’s Hospice (North Hampshire)

• Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt

• Basingstoke College of Technology

New Business of the Year – sponsored by Shaw Gibbs

• The Wonderland Gift Boutique

• Hydes Cyder

• The Post Box Sports Bar

Service Excellence – sponsored by Finli (Thames Valley)

• Petra Jewellery

• RightCue Consulting Services

• The Wonderland Gift Boutique

Best Place to Work – sponsorship still available

• Inclusion Education

• Castle Trust Bank

• Basingstoke College of Technology

• Queen Mary’s College

The Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is the event's headline and category sponsor.

Other category sponsors are Shaw Gibbs, Phillips Law, Basingstoke College of Technology, Finli (Thames Valley), Minuteman Press; Worting House, and Absolutely Offices.

PLANT, the Basing View-based eco-friendly building owned by Longstock Capital, has announced it will be backing the Welcome Reception at the awards evening.

The Gazette is media partner for the awards.

St Michael’s Hospice has been chosen as the local charity to be supported during the event through awareness and fundraising initiatives.

Every finalist will receive two complimentary tickets to the gala event.

Additional tickets for guests interested in joining the celebration can be acquired via the Destination Basingstoke website.