Southampton’s finest tourism individuals, attractions and related businesses celebrated their achievements at the 2020 SO Star Awards, a dinner and award presentation which took place at the Grand Café.
In unprecedented times these winners represent true beacons throughout their industry, all that is best in a sector which has been hit with more challenges than most by the Covid pandemic.
Postponed from spring due to lockdown, the SO Star Awards, delivered in association with A-One Insurance Group, Ange’s Brows, DA Training Consulting, Compass Spirits, Double Dutch, Elis, Enotria Wines, Estrella DAM, Harvest Foods, Meridian Lifts, Signable and Wave 105 were staged successfully by adhering to government guidance and regulations and in association with the Southampton City Council environmental health team.
The evening genuinely retained the kudos and glamour of past gala ceremonies and attracted hundreds of entrants from throughout the SO postcode area.
Jackie Phillipson, co-founder the SO and BHStar Awards, paid tribute to the sponsors who made the event possible as well as the participants who took part.
She said: “The hospitality and leisure sector has been affected to a massive degree during the past few months, yet despite that new independent venues launched, businesses diversified, pivoted or invested in additional screening and outdoor equipment as required. They have never given up, rather, they made every effort to combat hardship, welcome visitors and locals alike and provide a wonderful customer experience in changed circumstances.
“People supported much-loved favourite venues, attractions and businesses, beginning with Eat Out to Help Out, then, as restrictions eased, going out more frequently with family and friends, whether for exercise, entertainment or mental wellbeing. They tried new places, explored, learned about this city and its wider environs, and provided much needed revenue to keep doors open and valued staff in their jobs.
“The commitment of these winners – and all who entered – shows that they take immense pride in offering the best of the Southampton region. They all exude that star quality which we have come to recognise during the past few years since we launched the SO Star Awards.”
A socially distanced dinner, with groups of six at each table, the event concluded by 10pm. Drinks and food were served to each table and guests registered details for track and trace. MC Mark Rush Palmer went through relevant health and safety information, including how each of the category winners would be announced and presented with their awards.
The 2020 SOStar Winners are:
Apprentice
GOLD Rebekah Wolfe
SILVER Ellen Smith
BRONZE Joe Gibson
Attraction of the Year
GOLD Steamship Sheildhall
SILVER Mighty Adventures Southampton
BRONZE Southampton Ghost Tours
Business Tourism Venue
GOLD Solent Conference Center
SILVER New Place Hotel
Cafe/Tearoom of the Year
GOLD The Lovely Little Cafe
SILVER Teacups and Tutus
SILVER Mrs Potts by the Riverside
BRONZE The Braishfield Pantry
Chef of the Year
GOLD Andrew Taylor Rose – Delicious Dining Group
SILVER Neil Arkley – The Jetty, Ocean Village
BRONZE Sara Plutino – Ennios Boutique Hotel & Restaurant
Education & Mentoring Award
GOLD New Forest Activities
SILVER See Southampton
BRONZE Aspire4Business
Environment & Sustainability Award
GOLD Café Thrive Southampton
SILVER MADE in HERE
BRONZE SO51Fitness
Event / Festival of the Year
GOLD The London Hotel
SILVER Winchester Cheese and Chilli Festival
BRONZE Bevois Mount History
BRONZE See Southampton
Mix Master sponsored by Meridian Lifts
GOLD Harley Kelly
SILVER Dan Hanson
BRONZE Adam Clarke
BRONZE Dan Wilson – Mercure Southampton Centre Dolphin Hotel
New Business of the Year sponsored by A-One Insurance Group
GOLD Grumpy Monkey
SILVER GeeFit
SILVER MADE in HERE
BRONZE Badger Creative
BRONZE EmPower Me Recruitment
BRONZE Glam and Grace
Pub/Bar Award
GOLD Incognito Winchester
SILVER Dancing Man Brewery
SILVER The Good Companions
BRONZE The London Hotel
Sunday Roast Award
GOLD Grand Café
SILVER The Bugle Inn
BRONZE Bacaro and BRONZE The Fox
Accommodation
GOLD Harbour Hotel Southampton
SILVER New Place Hotel
BRONZE Ennios Boutique Hotel and BRONZE Edka Rooms
The Community Award Sponsored by RoutePR & Events
GOLD Saints Foundation
SILVER Bevois Mount History
SILVER City Catering Southampton
SILVER SCRATCH
BRONZE Radio Taxis Southampton
BRONZE See Southampton
BRONZE The London Hotel
BRONZE Touch Network
The Customer Service Award sponsored by Elis
GOLD New Place Hotel
SILVER Ennios Boutique Hotel & Restaurant
BRONZE Hamble Point Yacht Charters
BRONZE Mercure Dolphin Hotel
The Dining Experience Award sponsored by Harvest Fine Foods
GOLD Piecaramba!
SILVER Ennios Boutique Hotel & Restaurant
SILVER The Jetty, Ocean Village
BRONZE Grand Café
The Future Proofing and Innovation Award
GOLD See Southampton
SILVER SO51 Fitness
BRONZE My VIP Card and BRONZE Southampton Ghost Tours
The Here2There Award
GOLD Radio Taxis (Southampton) Ltd
SILVER Southampton Ghost Tours
BRONZE Driving Miss Daisy, Winchester
The Leading Star Award
GOLD Matt Conrad
SILVER Debs Carter
BRONZE Peter Frank Shawyer
The Night Time Experience Award
GOLD Grumpy Monkey
SILVER Incognito Winchester
SILVER The London Hotel
BRONZE The Stable
The Rising Star Award
GOLD Aman Baines – Ange’s Brow and Beauty
SILVER Amber Dunbar – Dancing Man Brewery
BRONZE Edita Talat-Kelpsiene – Edka Laundry
The Wellbeing Award
GOLD GeeFit
SILVER Adore Your Outdoors
SILVER Touch Network CIC
BRONZE Ange’s Beauty
BRONZE Anitabee Holistic Therapies