Spanning 20 categories of the very best businesses in Gloucestershire, the first #SGGLA 2018 awards evening was a sparkling success with SoGlos readers voting throughout April 2018, with a whopping 20,966 votes cast overall.
Taking home the coveted awards and winning the accolade for the best in Gloucestershire, SoGlos can now reveal the 20 winners who came up trumps on the night.
1. Gloucester Cathedral
Coming out on top in the Visitor Attraction of the Year category, Gloucester Cathedral earned its award attracting an incredible 400,000 visitors every year.
Having just revealed its breathtakingly beautiful development, Project Pilgrim, it’s no wonder the attraction took home the trophy.
2. WWT Slimbridge
Coming up against some of the most popular family attractions across the county, WWT Slimbridge was crowned as the Family Day Out of the Year winner in one of the most voted for categories of the night.
With so much to do for families, exceptional conservational efforts and an ideal place for little ones and big kids to learn and explore, the attraction is set to grow even bigger and better in the next few years.
3. Everyman Theatre
Steeped in history and boasting a stellar line-up of everything from comedy to classic theatre shows, Everyman Theatre took home the award for Live Entertainment Venue of the Year 2018.
Winning this category by the largest lead in the whole awards, Everyman Theatre is the heart of Cheltenham entertainment, with its programme jam-packed with something for all ages.
4. Cheltenham Racecourse
Playing a huge part in the racing calendar as well as hosting sell-out music, comedy and lifestyle events throughout the year, Cheltenham Racecourse came out as Sporting Venue of the Year 2018.
With its biggest event of the year, The Festival, attracting 260,000 visitors each year, Cheltenham Racecourse took home a trophy for themselves, beating the runner up by just one vote.
5. The Frog & Fiddle
Hosting regular gigs with incredible acts, The Frog & Fiddle were winners of the Live Music Venue of the Year category.
Celebrating 20 years of brilliant live entertainment, music and a much-loved venue for enjoying a tipple or two, it’s no wonder the pub took home the award for 2018.
6. The Coconut Tree
Coming up against a host of restaurants in Gloucestershire spanning from fine dining to international cuisine, The Coconut Tree scooped the award for Restaurant of the Year 2018.
Serving up delicious dishes in a relaxed, stripped back style, The Coconut Tree has gone down a storm since opening over a year ago and has quickly earned its place as one of the best places for street food around town.
7. Fat Toni’s Pizzeria
Storming ahead in the voting stages and winning the accolade of Takeaway of the Year 2018, Fat Toni’s Pizzeria has come up trumps serving up seriously scrumptious homemade pizzas from its branches in Stroud and Cheltenham.
Offering up a selection of tasty pizza suitable for vegans, vegetarians and those with a gluten intolerance, each sourdough pizza is lovingly made using the best ingredients.
8. The Find
Having opened its doors in November 2017, The Find has quickly earned its place as a firm favourite in Cheltenham and beyond, taking home the eagerly-anticipated Café of the Year 2018 award.
Offering somewhere to enjoy delicious coffee, catch up with friends and an innovative working space, the cruffins are also a definite must-try from The Find.
9. Hobbs House Bakery
Having been creating feverously good food in Gloucestershire since the 1920s, Hobbs House Bakery took home the award for Food/Drink Producer of the Year 2018.
Sourcing all its ingredients from within 25 miles of Gloucestershire, the family company make it their mission that everyone should eat better bread.
10. The Bottle of Sauce
Combining all the elements of a perfect watering hole, The Bottle of Sauce was crowned Pub of the Year 2018.
Designed to bring back what pubs are all about; getting together with friends and enjoying some good pub grub, The Bottle of Sauce has earned a name for itself with slow rise pizzas and stellar breakfast pancakes too!
11. John Gordons
Host to a stellar selection of spirits, wines and tempting charcuterie boards, John Gordons came first in the category for Bar of the Year 2018.
Having opened 11 years ago, the family business knows a thing or two about tasty tipples and offers a huge selection of spirits to buy or enjoy in their leafy courtyard overlooking Montpellier.
12. Cowley Manor
Set within glorious grounds and offering chic and stylish décor along with exceptional service, Cowley Manor was crowned as Hotel of the Year 2018.
With a decadent restaurant, heavenly spa and stunning rooms, Cowley Manor was up against a high calibre of classy hotels across the county.
13. Calcot
With a state-of-the-art gym, sumptuous hot tub and indoor swimming pool and luxurious treatments, Calcot Spa was winner of the Spa of the Year 2018 category.
Promising a therapeutic experience, Calcot offers a glorious outdoor hot tub with an open fire as well as a sauna, children’s pool and woodland gymnasium.
14. Laura Leigh Hair & Beauty
Making the cut as the best in the business, Laura Leigh Hair & Beauty took home the award for Hair Salon of the Year 2018.
Experts in providing a luxurious experience for clients, the salon provides just about everything from specialist styling to beauty and pampering treatments, in the heart of Cheltenham.
15. Dean Close School
Set within stunning leafy grounds and with an incredible community feel, Dean Close scooped the award for Independent School of the Year.
With some of the best educational establishments battling it out to be crowned as the winner, Dean Close was set apart with its vast offering of academic and artistic subjects as well as outstanding pastoral care.
16. Jesse Smith Farm Shop
From foodie hotspots to homeware and fashion stores, the category for Independent Shop of the Year was brimming with beautiful places to pick up gorgeous gifts and goodies, with Jesse Smith Farm Shop taking the winner’s award.
Paying homage to the most delicious produce from across the Cotswolds, Jesse Smith Farm Shop prides itself on serving up hand-crafted cakes, bakes and stocking a stellar selection of local meats and treats.
17. Malt House Emporium
With homeware shops, interior designers and specialist home improvement businesses all looking to take the award for Homes & Interiors Business of the Year 2018, Malt House Emporium was the winner for 2018.
Having re-located in the last 12 months, Malt House Emporium is an Aladdin’s Cave of beautiful homeware items, as well as selling original antiques and one-off pieces.
18. Regent Arcade Shopping Centre
With Gloucester, Cheltenham and the Cotswolds going head to head in the category for Shopping Destination of the Year 2018, Regent Arcade Shopping Centre was the winner for the evening, taking home the coveted award.
Hosting some of the biggest brands on the high street, Regent Arcade is a long-standing part of Cheltenham. With it’s iconic wishing fish clock, the shopping centre is home to a variety of fashion, homeware and coffee shops.
19. Cheltenham Literature Festival
With the county offering some of the best events across the year, the fight for Event of the Year 2018 saw a collection of the finest nominees up against each other; taking home the award was Cheltenham Literature Festival.
An unmissable highlight in the Gloucestershire calendar, the Literature Festival sees Cheltenham come to life each autumn, with some of the biggest names heading to the town to celebrate all-things books and reading.
20. CheltenhamMaman
With such a glorious county boasting so many successful social media figures, CheltenhamMaman took home the award for Social Media Influencer of the Year 2018.
Creating a community for parents in Gloucestershire, CheltenhamMaman stormed ahead in this category, with her hugely successful website, social media following and presence across Cheltenham and beyond.
Follow SoGlos on social media, via twitter.com/soglos, instagram.com/soglos, and facebook.com/soglos to check out all the pictures from the night.
