INSPIRING Kingston businesses and community groups have been revealed as nominees in the new Kingston borough business awards.

The awards, launched earlier this year, seek to celebrate the resilience and determination of the local business community over the period between April 2020 and August 2021 - a difficult time due to covid-19 restrictions and uncertainty.

Well-known Kingston names such as the popular new Incognitomystery cocktail bar and local charity Creative Youth are up for gongs, plus a few hidden gems such as the creative student pop-up Not My Beautiful House.

The fourteen categories range from Customer Service to Sustainability and have four nominees each - though with over 200 entries to the competition the judges had a difficult time deciding on the shortlist.

The winners will be revealed at a celebration evening next year (17 March) in the majestic venue of All Saints Church.

Forbes Low, CEO of Kingston Chamber of Commerce, said at the launch evening: "To me, the essential element in business are the people.

"It is people who come together to create, to build, to entertain and to deliver solutions to problems.

"These awards will celebrate these people for their achievements."

Ian Thomas CBE and Chief Executive of Kingston Borough Council added: "During the pandemic we saw how important that link between the council and its business community is.

"Having been an integral part of the effort to support businesses during those difficult times, we are delighted to support these awards.

"Organisations of all sizes have been adapting, exploiting new opportunities and creating employment in the borough. We want to acknowledge that strength, resilience and contribution to the local economy."

Below is the full list of categories and nominees:

Contribution to the Community Award

Sponsored by Pearson Hards

• Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness
• RBKares
• Staywell
• Volunteering Kingston

Creative Effectiveness Award

Sponsored by Wolters Kluwer

• Bee Smith Millinery
• Kingston Theatre Trust
• LeBoo Media Ltd
• Lisa Tolley Artist and Illustrator

Developing Young People Skills Award

Sponsored by Kingston College

• Creative Youth / International Youth Arts Festival
• Kingston Theatre Trust
• Oxygen
• Sensational Kids

Digital, Marketing and Social Media Award

• Dotwise
• F6 Agency
• Figment Agency
• The Wych Elm Kingston

• Comfort Care at Home
• The HR Dept
• Summers Inman
• The Wych Elm Kingston

• Incognito Cocktail Bar
• The Park Brewery
• Pickled Pantry
• Riverside Vegetaria

• Comfort Care at Home
• Milaap Centre
• Ubitech Ltd
• Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting UK

• Oak House Software Ltd
• Pangea Connected
• Ubitech Ltd
• The White House Nursing Home

• Mimosa
• Not My Beautiful House
• Tony's Fruit Stall
• Wags N Tales

Outstanding Sole Trader/Freelancer Award

• Brodies Dry Cleaners
• Digital Mother
• Eastop-Scopes Virtual Assistants
• Love Livvy 2020

• Avatar Cleaning Services Ltd
• Business Clan
• CEM Bookkeeping & Consultancy Ltd
• The HR Dept

Resilience and Adaption Award

Sponsored by Kingston Council

• Marketing Tech
• Pangea Connected
• Quilombo UK
• The Wych Elm Kingston

Start Up of the Year Award

Sponsored by Kingston University

• JOLT LTD
• RBKares
• TG Consulting Ltd
• Voices of Hope

Sustainable Business Award

Sponsored by Willmott Dixon

• Direct Colour Ltd
• Genuine Solutions
• Spark Joy London
• SunrayRecycle

For more information visit the Kingston borough business awards website at www.kbba.co.uk/