We asked. You voted. And voted. And voted… The competition was incredible this year. Are you ready for this? A whopping 75,000 businesses entered and 865,000 votes were cast across the Muddy counties. And it was an absolute bumper year for our Hampshire and Isle of Wight businesses.

So to win a Muddy Award (one that’s entirely based on the public vote, at that!) is definitely something to shout from the rooftops.

Naturally, it was only right to raise a glass (or several) to the BEST indie businesses in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in 2022, as voted by YOU, at our annual Muddy Awards drinks.

The sun had his hat – and oversized designer sunglasses – firmly on for our big event. It was held at New Place Hotel, a fine, Grade I-listed manor house Hampshire hotel conference and wedding venue in 32 acres.

We sipped fantastic English sparkling wine from the rather fabulous Hambledon Vineyard (made less than 15 minutes’ drive from New Place Hotel where we were drinking it!) and scoffed canapés on the sunshiny terrace, as we mingled with our brilliant local winners.

The team at New Place brought out local Jude’s ice cream and canapes. And more lovely super-cold, locally-produced English sparkling wine from Quob Park Estate vineyard flowed. Those of us with a sweet tooth also tucked into platters of delicious Mann’s Cookies.

Muddy Editor Heidi with Wightlink’s Kirstie, New Place Hotel’s Jon Fisher, and Wightlink’s David Williams

Our brilliant local sponsors, Wightlink Isle of Wight ferries, came along to celebrate with us and meet the winners. David and Kirstie joined in the fun with New Place Director of Sales and Business Development, Jon Fisher.

Theatre Royal Winchester CEO Deryck Newland (right) with Jon Fisher

All our guests joined in with a lucky lotto-style prize draw to win a bottle of bubbles. And our generous sponsors, Wightlink, gifted a £250 travel voucher to one of our double-lucky Hampshire winners so they could enjoy a weekend-break over on the Isle of Wight. Bon voyage!

We gathered for (quite a few) thank yous to all the lovely local businesses that had contributed everything from cookies to candles, fizz, gin and very fragrant perfumes and beauty goodies – and of course, we raised a huge toast to our local Muddy Awards winners.

Unexpectedly, the lovely Guy Kremer, our local 2022 Muddy Award-winning hairdresser (above) also stepped forward and gave an impromptu (and much appreciated) thank you to your local Muddy Stilettos team (Ed Heidi and Commercial Manager Robyn) on behalf of the winners.

Then we all stepped out together onto the lawn for a big group commemorative ‘cheers!’ – winners certificates held proudly aloft – before enjoying a lot more bubbles, and a lot more mingling, all caught-on-camera by local photographers and videographers, KDK Film South.

Laura, our Best Florist, Wild Rose Floral Design

Best Sustainable Business winner Jess from Lemon & Jinja, with team

Denise Brims of Brims Yoga, our 2022 Best Yoga/Pilates Studio Winner

Jessica Sharp, Best Photographer, with Simon and their beautiful baby, Valentina

Kristin Anderson, Manager of Best Wedding Venue, Kimbridge Barn

After a couple of months of awards craziness, it was such a treat to meet all of the wonderful winners who’ve delighted their customers and fans after a continued tough time and put their hearts and souls into their brilliant businesses over the past year and beyond.

Left to right: Winchester’s Sass & Edge, Cobbs Farm Shop Winchester, Guy Kremer Salon, Incognito and Brim’s Yoga

This year the Winchester contingent did themselves proud with a whopping SIX awards…

Goodie bags were goody indeed, filled with lovely local brands including a beautiful mini bottle of Mermaid Gin, Muddy Award-branded Osmḗ Candles in gin-themed lemon, lime and juniper scents and another tasty little gin mini from The Bombay Sapphire Distillery. And if that wasn’t enough, this year, we also had a heavenly-scented second bag of treats from The Perfumery Co. Lymington, containing fabulous fragrances and beauty goodies. Big thank you to all!

Carriages await – but before you depart, here’s the full list of our 2022 Muddy Award-winning businesses from around Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Now we’ve reminded you who they are, do go and say hi!

And a little last word from me… from the nominees, to the readers who loyally voted and supported, (not once but twice), the amazing finalists who fended off the competition to reach the top five in each category, and, of course, the incredible 2022 Muddy Stilettos Award Winners, you are all AMAZING! THANK YOU for making this year’s Muddy Awards one of our best yet.

Pop the corks – it’s the Muddy Awards drinks!

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