Bristol Life Awards celebrate city's best businesses
This year there was a special emphasis on how places reacted to the pandemic
Many of Bristol's most vibrant and creative businesses came together last night (September 16) for the Bristol Life Awards.
The event celebrates the best our city has to offer from financial firms, to charities, to restaurants and was held at Ashton Gate this year.
In the judging for the categories a special emphasis was placed on how the firms had responded to the pandemic.
Breaking Bread - a collection of pop up restaurants and bars on The Downs which also hosted performances from musicians and comedians, won both the leisure and tourism award and the overall platinum prize.
Dominic Borel runs Pasta Loco and helped create Breaking Bread alongside Josh Eggleton from the Pony and Trap.
We spoke to them both last night and asked if they expected the idea to be such a success.
"I don't know if we had any expectations whatsoever to be honest," Dominic told us.
"We were faced with so many different challenges within our individual businesses.
"From keeping staff employed, to supply lines going, to what to do with our food and because we had our friendships set up already and all represented different strengths and different backgrounds, I think coming together and having an open conversation about it was really fruitful."
Josh said the idea was about looking after their "family".
"The whole point of setting Breaking Bread up, first and foremost is to look after your community," he said.
"Our immediate community are our staff.
"Our staff are our family.
"If we didn't create Breaking Bread we wouldn't be able to now have a staff to be able to open our restaurants a year later."
The other winners were as follows:
Arts
Trinity Community Arts
What the judges said:
“A truly one-of-a-kind art space that this year engaged 60,000+ people across over 1,000 events and cultural experiences. A consistent innovator and champion of diversity.”
Business Services
CMC Marquees
What the judges said:
“Smartly diversified its offering despite its events calendar being hit, growing business by 30%. Offered companies vital support with storage and emergency structures.”
Bar
The Coconut Tree
What the judges said:
“The Coconut Tree brought Sri Lankan excellence to Bristol with its distinctive Cocotails proving hugely popular! Has innovated with distilleries to concoct an expanded drinks menu.”
Café
Ahh Toots
What the judges said:
“Ahh Toots cleverly maneuvered around its recent shop move with strong focus on its takeaway and seasonal treats, not to mention a highly popular click and collect service.”
Charity
Bristol Rovers Community Trust & Caring in Bristol (Joint Winners)
What the judges said:
BRCT - “Using its impressive reach associated with one of the city’s professional football clubs, the trust acted remarkably to provide thousands of pandemic food deliveries, garden visits and strong community service.”
Caring in Bristol - “A shining example of giving generously with its campaign ‘Cheers Drive’, the UK’s first free food delivery service to the homeless, delivering 80,000 meals. Empowered much-needed activism in Bristol.”
Civic
Out of Hand
What the judges said:
“This clever print design business rose to the occasion! Countless charities, event spaces and venues were supported with Covid safety and guideline signage from this cool, responsible team.”
Creative
Studio Giggle
What the judges said:
“Incredible work ethic from a growing team; mastering virtual events to double its total portfolio this year, including a massive partnership with Manchester United. Glory, glory, Studio Giggle!”
Education
Boomsatsuma
What the judges said:
“Boomsatsuma went big in 2020 launching six creative degrees accredited by Bath Spa Uni along with a vital new partnership with Tobacco Factory. Terrific work also on the WIDJET project.”
Event
Bristol Pride
What the judges said:
“Great representation of Bristol with 80% of its performers local to the area. Its inventive virtual event attracted 32,000 streams across multiple platforms and reached an incredible 400,000 people.”
Financial
Fox Davidson
What the judges said:
“A hugely significant 12 months with strong revenue and profit growth, up 20% year on year. Helped its many clients secure millions in loans, changing fortunes and making memorable deals.”
Food/Drink Producer
Good Chemistry Brewing
What the judges said:
“Celebrated a successful fifth year anniversary as a brewery by re-releasing its most popular Morello Theory beer, which sold out in record time. Its Help Us Help Pubs initiative deserves huge praise.”
Hair & Beauty
Beauty Oasis Spa
What the judges said:
“Beauty Oasis Spa provides the ultimate urban spa retreat and boosted its offering with new manicure area, zen garden and hot tubs. A relaxing treat for its many loyal customers.”
Health & Wellbeing
Great Western Ride & The Talk Club
What the judges said:
Great Western Ride - “Showed resilient resolve to perform a ‘real-life’ event where all others of its kind couldn’t, and lauded by British Cycling as the standout example of fighting covid odds. A true 5 star showing!”
The Talk Club - “What a year, definitely one to watch! Brought a community together with its group increasing by 60% and has been an incredible advocate for male mental health and suicide awareness.”
Homes & Interiors
Konk Furniture
What the judges said:
“Consistently pushing boundaries of design. Konk took the home desk and office market by storm to triple its sales, investing smartly to produce even higher quality products.”
Legal
Bevan Brittan
What the judges said:
“Pivoted smartly to advise the NHS on emergency Nightingale hospitals and performed exceptionally for a seventh consecutive year of profit growth. Developing as one of the UK’s finest law firms.”
Leisure & Tourism
Breaking Bread
What the judges said:
“This beloved pop-up site proved immensely popular with the Bristol public, selling out weekly across four months. Provided much-needed economic boosts for hospitality throughout lockdowns.”
New Business
Feel Fit
What the judges said:
“Opened the south west’s first eco-powered fitness studio and gives students that perfect platform to improve themselves physically. All topped off with a fantastic new website and clothing range.”
People Services
NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator
What the judges said:
“Championed the potential of over 100 new businesses with expert support and programmes and has delivered hundreds of one-on-one coaching and workshops. A true business accelerator!”
Property
Wapping Wharf Phase 2
What the judges said:
“This widely-praised major regeneration has welcomed inhabitants ahead of schedule with over 80% of its sale homes taken already. Bringing unique culture and life to Wapping Wharf.”
Restaurant
Pizzarova
What the judges said:
“Overcame a tough start to 2021, sold over 100,000 pizzas across the pandemic and kickstarted a cook at home craze with its ‘Make your own’ kits. Remarkable output and service.”
Retailer
Boxlocal
What the judges said:
“Combined retail and charity in one incredible business, supplying artisan giftboxes to Bristol companies and investing thousands in the local economy, as well as going global delivering across Europe and America.”
Tech & Innovation
Proctor & Stevenson
What the judges said:
“It has built up an impressive portfolio of work both globally and within Bristol, becoming a leader in digital technology and web development with WebFlow. Creative, strategy and tech perfectionists.”