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The 2022 winners of the Made in Stockport Awards have been revealed at a ceremony which took place at the Produce Hall in the town’s historic marketplace.
Started online in 2021 by Stockport creative agency Aqua Design Group, the awards sought to showcase businesses in the town that were needing a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic and various lockdowns.
As with the year before, the 2022 Made in Stockport Awards had public nominations for businesses to enter the nine categories within the awards; those with the most nominations within their category were then shortlisted as finalists with 45 businesses becoming finalists in 2022.
Winning businesses in all nine categories were as follows:
- Business of the Year, sponsored by The Produce Hall – Bask
- Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Stockport Women’s Networking Group – Daisy Imprints
- Concept of the Year, sponsored by Dorset Tech – Flecky Bennett’s The Stockport Ghost Walk
- Food Producer of the Year, sponsored by Stephensons – I Knead Pizza
- Drink Producer of the Year, sponsored by Kate O’Brien Art – Stockport Gin
- Best Crafter of the Year, sponsored by Worker Bee Markets – Wonky Tails Pet Accessories
- Business to look out for, sponsored by IN Accountancy – Sticky Fingers
- Capturing Stockport Award, sponsored by Jobs 4 Teens – Darren Smith Photography
- Independent Shop Front, sponsored by Kitsch Republic – Caro Boutique
The awards saw over 2,800 votes being cast online to choose the winner of each category and in 2022 saw the introduction of category sponsors and two main sponsors.
The awards would not have been made possible without the support of main sponsors: Rise Homes and Azets. Rise Homes are responsible for the construction and management of The Mailbox located at the site of the old sorting office on Exchange Street; Azets are an SME-focused accountancy and business advisory firm who focus on bringing dynamic, innovative and local support from offices across the UK including from Greek Street here in Stockport.
This year’s chosen charity for the awards was Stockport based Walthew House, in which a hamper was on offer with items from The Warren, Kate O’Brien Art and Stockport Gin included and a business card draw, which raised £165.00 for the charity.
Noel Hankinson, Office Managing Partner at Azets in Stockport said:
“Azets is delighted to support the Made in Stockport Awards. These awards are inspirational and we value the opportunity to showcase artisan and creative industries and businesses across the town.
“We are honoured to sponsor the awards and look forward to celebrating all those firms in the Stockport business community and their incredible achievements.”
Dylan Moore, owner of Aqua Design Group said:
“There are exciting plans moving forward with the awards and looking forward to more businesses from across the town getting involved, be they just starting out in business or looking for a business boost.”
To find out more about the awards and how your business can get involved in 2023, visit the Aqua Design Group website.
Photographs taken by Alice Alanor Photography