Independent business owners from around Buckinghamshire are ‘super proud' to have been nominated by their customers for this year’s Muddy Stilettos awards.
Shops, cafes, restaurants and fitness studios spanning much of the county are celebrating their inclusion in the lifestyle brand Muddy Stilettos’ shortlist of the crème-de-le-crème across the Bucks and Oxfordshire region.
The awards – which close for voting on April 18 – are especially meaningful because they are entirely based on customer nominations, representing a locals-approved view of the best small businesses across a range of categories.
Ren Reed, a personal trainer and fitness coach who founded Coached by Ren in High Wycombe, is a shortlisted nominee for Best Fitness Instructor across Bucks and Oxon.
She said being recognised for her work was an “amazing feeling”, adding: “I have always aimed to inspire and empower women to become the best versions of themselves.
“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude to be nominated alongside some fantastic instructors in the area.”
The owner of Marlow-based gift shop Twenty Three Living, Louise Haisman, also said she was “very pleased” to see the business nominated for Best Lifestyle Store by Muddy Stilettos.
Louise said she had been off work when the nomination process launched and was unaware that her customers had put the shop forward for recognition, seemingly without any prompting.
She said: “It was a lovely surprise. We’re very excited about it. It’s tough out there for independents, so it’s really good to see a few Marlow businesses on the list. Hopefully, it’ll be a boost for the high street.”
Meanwhile, Zoe Smith, the one-man-band behind Studio 39, a florist based in Beaconsfield, said she too was “super, super proud” to be nominated for Best Florist in the region.
Zoe said: “It’s really nice, even just to get this far. I make, order and collect everything myself, so it’s lovely to see this kind of support.
“I also pride myself on looking after my customers, which I think people appreciate. The one-on-one experience is so important.”
The winners of Muddy Stilettos’ regional awards will be announced on May 2. They will then go through to the national finals, where the absolute best of the best, as judged by Muddy Stilettos’ editors, will be revealed on July 11.
Check out the full list of Buckinghamshire nominees below:
BEST ARTS, CULTURE AND THEATRE
MK Gallery, Milton Keynes
Queens Park Arts Centre, Aylesbury
BEST BAR
Duke’s Wine Bar, Princes Risborough
The Manor, Aylesbury
BEST BEAUTY SALON/CLINIC
Little Retreat, Chalfont St Giles
Oasis Health and Beauty Spa, Great Missenden
Urban Escape, Marlow
BEST BOUTIQUE STAY
The Five Arrows, Waddesdon
BEST CAFÉ
Cornwall Place Kitchen, Buckingham
BEST CASUAL DINING
Ginger Wings, Marlow
Prelibato, Beaconsfield
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BEST CHILDREN’S BUSINESS
Knits Upstitched, Aylesbury
BEST DESTINATION PUB
The Coach, Marlow
BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION
Lillingstone Pick Your Own, Buckingham
Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden
BEST FARMSHOP/DELI
Lacey’s Family Farm Shop, Lane End
Peterley Farm, Great Missenden
BEST FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
Coached by Ren, High Wycombe
Charlie Ede, Amersham
Bo Kuszynski, High Wycombe
BEST FLORIST
Studio 39, Hazlemere
The Flower House, Aylesbury
The Rockery, Weston Turville
BEST HAIR SALON
Abstract, Beaconsfield
Brendan O’Sullivan, Amersham
Hair Host, Milton Keynes
The Room, Berryfields
BEST HOTEL
Hartwell House, Aylesbury
BEST LIFESTYLE STORE
Last, Haddenham
Twenty Three Living, Marlow
BEST LOCAL FOOD/DRINK PRODUCER
Daws Hill Vineyard, Radnage
Fr’um Dark But Fr’iendly, High Wycombe
Wolverton Gin, Wolverton
BEST RESTAURANT
Pluma, Amersham
BEST WINE AND BEER SPECIALIST
Chez Ben, Marlow
Lloyd’s Wines, Prestwood
BEST WOMEN’S FASHION/ACCESSORIES
Fabric, Amersham
Stella and Wolf, Chesham
BEST YOGA/PILATES STUDIO
Form, Amersham
Urban Om Yoga, Buckingham
Yoga Barn, Saunderton Lee
Yoga Hook, Gerrards Cross
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