We might be celebrating a little differently this year, but after an exciting few months of nominations and shortlisting, SoGlos readers have cast their votes and the winners of the SoGlos Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards 2020 sponsored by Willans LLP solicitors have been revealed.
There were a record 38,300 votes cast this year and although our usual glitzy awards ceremony couldn’t take place as originally planned, we joined the nominees in raising a glass from home with a virtual awards ceremony taking place on Thursday 22 October 2020, which you can see via facebook.com/soglos.
SoGlos’s group publisher, James Fyrne, said: ‘This year, more than ever, it was so important to us to support Gloucestershire’s attractions, businesses and venues with the SoGlos Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards. 2020 has been a tough year for everyone, ourselves included, so we were determined to make the awards happen to shine a light on the very best the county has to offer.
‘Usually we would have hosted a spectacular awards evening, as we did in 2019, but although we weren’t able to have a physical awards ceremony this year, hosting a virtual event online meant that we were able to celebrate in a safe way.
‘As well as supporting local businesses, it’s clear that these awards are so important to our readers too, as we had a record number of votes this year. Every award is voted for by SoGlos readers, so all the winners and highly commended businesses should feel incredibly proud.
‘We’re so grateful for the support of our headline sponsor, Willans LLP Solicitors, and category sponsors 16i, King’s School Gloucester, Hazlewoods, BPE Solicitors, Personal Best, Typecraft, Thomson & Bancks Solicitors, Gaudio Awards, NFU Mutual, Royal Three Counties Show, Guano Crazy, Reinventing The Wheel, Aston Martin Cheltenham, Gloucestershire College, Citrus HR, Five Valleys, Hatton Court, Stagecoach West, The Isbourne, H.R. Owen, Mercure Bowden Hall Gloucester, Lilian Faithfull Care and Hooray.
‘Huge thanks also go to our wonderful event partners, Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Oasis Events, Hillside Brewery, Cotswolds Distillery, Baz and Fred, Gloucestershire Magician – Richard Parsons and Cotswold Gold.’
SGGLA 2020 winners
Cultural Venue of the Year 2020
Winner: Gloucester Cathedral
Arguably the most iconic building in the whole of Gloucestershire, host to stunning art exhibitions and the filming location for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies, Gloucester Cathedral scoops the top spot for SGGLA Cultural Venue of the Year in 2020.
Family Day Out Venue of the Year 2020
Winner: Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park
With a host of adorable animals, from rare breed pigs to fluffy chicks, wildlife walks and adventure play areas galore, it’s easy to see why SoGlos readers chose Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park as their SGGLA Family Day Out Venue of the Year for 2020.
Independent School of the Year 2020
Winner: The King’s School Gloucester
Providing an excellent education with outstanding pastoral care from its stunning location within the grounds of Gloucester Cathedral, The King’s School Gloucester is SoGlos readers’ Independent School of the Year 2020.
Live Entertainment Venue of the Year 2020
Winner: Everyman Theatre
From supporting local, independent theatre groups to staging the premiers of West End productions, not to mention its legendary annual pantomime, Cheltenham’s much-loved Everyman Theatre takes centre stage as SoGlos readers’ Live Entertainment Venue of the Year 2020.
Sporting Venue of the Year 2020
Winner: Cheltenham Racecourse
The home of Jump Racing and, of course, legendary annual event The Festival, Cheltenham Racecourse takes the top spot as Sporting Venue of the Year 2020.
Live Music Venue of the Year 2020
Winner: Gloucester Guildhall
Set in a beautiful Grade II listed building in the heart of Gloucester and having played host to local bands right up to superstars like Muse and Radiohead, SoGlos readers’ Live Music Venue of the Year 2020 goes to Gloucester Guildhall.
Restaurant of the Year 2020
Winner: The Coconut Tree
Despite stiff competition, with its vibrant Sri Lankan menu, popular Cocotails and quirky styling in Cheltenham, The Coconut Tree gets the highly coveted Restaurant of the Year 2020 award.
Takeaway of the Year 2020
Winner: Simpson’s Fish and Chips
After two years, SoGlos readers have a new favourite takeaway! Serving up the best fish and chips in Cheltenham and Stroud, Simpsons Fish and Chips takes home the Takeaway of the Year title in 2020.
Café of the Year 2020
Winner: Star Bistro
The award for Café of the Year goes to Star Bistro, which creates delicious seasonal dishes and homemade cakes, while giving meaningful work opportunities to people with disabilities.
Food/Drink Producer of the Year 2020
Winner: Cotswolds Distillery
Cotswolds Distillery has another award to add to its trophy cabinet, as the premium gin and whisky distillery has been voted for by SoGlos readers’ as Food/Drink Producer of the Year 2020.
Pub of the Year 2020
Winner: Café Rene
With its fantastic range of real ales and wines, tasty food menu and vibrant live music scene, raise a glass to Gloucester’s Café Rene, SoGlos readers’ Pub of the Year 2020.
Bar of the Year 2020
Winner: Gin & Juice
Home to some of the most Instagrammable drinks in Gloucestershire, stylish cocktail bar Gin & Juice on Cheltenham’s Promenade snaps up the award for Bar of the Year 2020.
Hotel of the Year 2020
Winner: Tewkesbury Park
With its decadent Sunday brunches, beautiful décor, outdoor sauna and hot tub and panoramic views across the Cotswold countryside, Tewkesbury Park hotel and golf complex wins Hotel of the Year 2020.
Beauty Business of the Year 2020
Winner: Laura Leigh Hair & Beauty
From creative colour to dynamic beauty treatments, Cheltenham’s stylish salon, Laura Leigh Hair & Beauty, gets SoGlos readers’ votes for Beauty Business of the Year 2020.
Health/Fitness Business of the Year 2020
Winner: CLC Health & Fitness Centre
With something for yoga lovers, keen swimmers, sports fans and gym regulars alike, CLC Health & Fitness Centre at Cheltenham Ladies’ College is SoGlos readers’ Health/Fitness Business of the Year 2020.
Independent Shop of the Year 2020
Winner: Made in Stroud
Supporting local designers and makers and providing shoppers with a treasure trove of unique fashion and beauty finds since 1991, Independent Shop of the Year 2020 goes to Made in Stroud.
Homes & Interiors Business of the Year 2020
Winner: Just Fabrics
Offering reams of inspiration, expert advice and a made-to-measure service from its stores in Cheltenham and Burford, SoGlos readers picked Just Fabrics as their Homes & Interiors Business of the Year 2020.
Shopping Destination of the Year 2020
Winner: Gloucester Quays
Home to popular brands like All Saints, Barbour, Ted Baker and Tommy Hilfiger, as well as a host of restaurants and a cinema, Gloucester Quays is SoGlos readers’ pick for Shopping Destination of the Year 2020.
Event of the Year 2020
Winner: The Royal International Air Tattoo
Delighting not just aviation enthusiasts, but families from all over the county too, the annual Royal International Air Tattoo flies into first place, winning Event of the Year 2020.
Wedding Venue of the Year 2020
Winner: Sudeley Castle & Gardens
Once home to royalty, the stunning Sudeley Castle & Gardens near Cheltenham provides a picture-perfect backdrop for tying the knot – so it’s easy to see why it’s SoGlos readers’ choice for Wedding Venue of the Year 2020.
Wedding Supplier of the Year 2020
Winner: Gloucestershire Magician – Richard Parsons
With his mesmerising performances, making Gloucestershire couples’ special days magical is what Gloucestershire Magician – Richard Parsons does best. He takes home the award for Wedding Supplier of the Year 2020.
Hero of the Year 2020
Winner: Nell Gifford
Described by her loved ones as a ‘magician,’ Giffords Circus co-founder Nell Gifford has brought joy and wonder to over a million people. She was known for her creative vision for the circus and for her spectacular horseback performances. Following her tragic death in 2019, less than a month before Giffords Circus celebrated its 20th anniversary year, Nell’s spirit lives on in the hearts of SoGlos readers, as she is crowned Hero of the Year 2020.
Charity of the Year 2020
Winner: Maggie’s Cancer Care
After facing the devastating news that her cancer had returned in a windowless corridor of an Edinburgh hospital, Maggie Jencks and her husband Charles set about creating a better place for people with cancer to go. Since opening its first centre in 1996, Maggie’s has grown into a nationwide network of cancer care centres situated near NHS hospitals, to provide support to cancer patients and their families in a calm, friendly environment. Maggie’s is SoGlos readers’ Charity of the Year 2020.
Be part of SGGLA 2021
Please get in touch to find out more about sponsorship and partnership opportunities for SGGLA 2021, and the chance to associate your brand with Gloucestershire’s definitive lifestyle awards.
Contact SoGlos’s Group Publisher, James Fyrne, at james@sopublishing.com or call (01242) 210330.
For more information, visit soglos.com/awards.
