Tag Archive for: Time & Leisure

Multiple Wins for Wimbledon at Food & Culture Awards 2022

A huge congratulations to the 17 businesses in Wimbledon Town Centre, who have received shining recognition in Time & Leisure’s Food & Culture Awards 2022, putting Wimbledon firmly on the map as a destination for dining, cultural events and theatres. 

This year marked the 10th year of the Time & Leisure Food & Culture awards, which are dedicated to celebrating world-class food, drink and culture in South West London and Surrey, as well as recognising the talented and passionate people who make up our hospitality and arts industries.

Over 10,000 votes were cast and ambassadors for this year’s awards included top chefs Adam Byatt and Marcus Wareing. Amongst the many local businesses nominated, five venues across Wimbledon Town Centre were winners in their categories. Hailed for their authentic Persian dishes, Diba won both ‘Local Restaurant Of The Year’ and ‘Best Delivery/Takeaway’.

 

Diba – winners of Local Restaurant Of The Year and Best Delivery/Takeaway awards

 

Lively local The Alexandra was awarded ‘Best Pub’ for its commitment to the community – namely its free Christmas dinner for anyone who would usually be alone on Christmas Day. Wimbledon Bookfest were winners of ‘Cultural Experience of the Year’ for delivering incredible live events with top guest speakers, despite the constraints of the pandemic, and New Wimbledon Theatre won ‘Favourite Entertainment Venue’.

 

New Wimbledon Theatre – winners of Favourite Entertainment Venue award

 

“We are thrilled to win this and to be nominated for Cultural Experience of the Year and Favourite Theatre Show after what has been such a difficult couple of years for our industry. We are so pleased the local community have supported and returned to the theatre, as us we reopened and brought the theatrical sparkle back to SW19.”

– New Wimbledon Theatre

 

Love Wimbledon sponsored the ‘Wimbledon Town Centre People’s Choice’ award, which was won by Leon, the health-conscious food group that impressed readers. Lebanese restaurant Grilandia followed closely behind as the highly commended choice, with Polka Theatre, CMYK bar and Diba also being commended. Other businesses recommended in this category included Dip & Flip, Kokoro, Lu-Ma Café, The Alexandra and Bills.

We are delighted to see so many of our local businesses in Wimbledon recognised for their excellence by the community, and hope that more people are encouraged to explore the best of their neighbourhood, trying out local favourites across the town and high street.

See the full list of winners here.

Merton Best Business Awards: Applications Open

The Merton Best Business Awards have officially launched with new award categories celebrating the business heroes of the pandemic.

The 2021 Merton Best Business Awards launched yesterday at Wimbledon BookFest, as Merton’s business owners gathered to reflect on their experiences of the past 18 months.

Diana Sterck, CEO of Merton Chamber of Commerce and the organiser of the MBBAs, announced a new set of award categories that will shine a light on the organisations, teams and individuals who have survived, revived and thrived against the unique challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Newly created awards include:

  • ‘Team Spirit’: to recognise how people have pulled together to propel their business forward;
  • ‘Leader of the Year’ and ‘Star of the Year’: to recognise those who showed guidance, strength and leadership to their colleagues despite difficult circumstances
  • ‘Arts & Culture’ award: for organisations in the creative arts industry, many of which were unable to operate for many months
  • ‘Best for Innovation and Customer Focus’: for businesses that have put their customers first throughout
  • ‘Retail Award’: for independent retailers who were able to react and adapt to survive

Members of the public will have a chance to vote for their favourite hospitality business, but this year they will also be asked to nominate their Local Business Hero – a business that has gone above and beyond during the pandemic, despite the circumstances.

Love Wimbledon will be sponsoring the ‘In The Face of Adversity’ award category.

Diana Sterck, CEO of Merton Chamber of Commerce, said:

“These new award categories will demonstrate the incredible resourcefulness and resilience of Merton’s businesses in the face of unprecedented challenge. Applying for an MBBA is the ideal way to show the world just how proud you are of your company and your team, and we encourage everyone to take part so that we can celebrate together. I can’t wait to hear the stories of how Merton’s businesses have survived, revived and thrived this year.”

Applications are open now and we encourage businesses in Wimbledon Town Centre to apply here before the application deadline on 29th October.

Wimbledon Wins at Food and Culture Awards 2018

Great success for Wimbledon venues in Time & Leisure’s Food and Culture Awards 2018

14 Wimbledon businesses were shortlisted as finalists in these prestigious awards, celebrating the finest local and independent food and drink businesses across South West London and North Surrey.

 

Now in it’s eighth year since launching, this year the awards have grown to include culture which is apt as Time & Leisure started 21 years ago as the ‘Arts in Wimbledon Magazine’.

 

Love Wimbledon extends hearty congratulations to all our outstanding venues and businesses who made the shortlist 2018, they claimed 7 Commended, 4 Highly Commended and 2 Winners titles with achievements including:

 

Best Coffee & Tea House

Commended: Bliss Coffee

 

Best Eating Experience in Wimbledon Town Centre

Winner: The Alexandra

Highly Commended: San Lorenzo

Commended: Diba, Elys Restaurant, Wagamama

 

Best Pub

Commended: The Alexandra

 

Best Family Friendly Restaurant

Winner: San Lorenzo

 

Family Attraction of the Year

Highly Commended: Polka Theatre

 

Most Innovative Arts Project

Commended: Bobblehat Wimbledon Live Advent Calendar

 

Performing Arts Venue of the Year

Highly Commended: New Wimbledon Theatre

 

The Tony Kane Cultural Experience of the Year

Highly Commended: New Wimbledon Theatre

 

 

 

 

 

For the full list of all awards winners, please visit Time & Leisure.