The best of Surrey: Essential Surrey Awards 2020

Welcome to the second Essential Surrey Awards, celebrating the finest businesses the county has to offer.

In such unprecedented times as these, it has been heart-warming to see how Surrey’s businesses have come together in a bid to serve and sustain communities through the troubled weeks and months of 2020. 

We salute all those that make this glorious county what it is; those who before, during and after lockdown, have worked so hard to keep our spirits up and local areas alive.

Scroll for the best of Surrey, chosen by readers and residents...

Best Hairdresser

🏆  Winner: Olivia Rose Hair & Beauty; 12 The Parade, Claygate, Esher KT10 0NU

Congratulations to this family-friendly salon that can be found on The Parade in Claygate and offers a vast array of services from cut and blow drys to hair extensions and male grooming, not to mention a wide range of cosmetic and aesthetic treatments.  

At the time of going to press, Olivia Rose was once again forced to close its doors owing to Covid-19 restrictions, however, messages on the salon’s social media pages suggest the team will be back as soon as possible.

Congratulations to runners up:

Best Live Venue

🏆  Winner: The Grey Horse; 46 Richmond Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT2 5EE

This renowned cocktails, whisky and barbecue bar offers a wide variety of stand-up, music and more from its theatre venue Ram Jam Records which operates out of the back of the pub. 

Co-owner Leigh White says:

“We have done our best to keep going and have been lucky enough to have the support of the local people. Throughout lockdown, we were able to honour takeaway orders and then we were really busy during the summer. We hope to be back providing excellent music and comedy as soon as we can.”

Congratulations to runners up:

Best Travel Agent

🏆  Winner: Greenstar Travel; 23 The Parade, Claygate, Esher KT10 0PD

While 2020 sadly put a halt to our travel plans, Essential Surrey visitors still rushed to show their support for an independent agent, Greenstar Travel.

Established in 1985, the Claygate company has a four-strong team that is on hand to help you create the holiday of your dreams from the initial destination decision to booking the taxi home from the airport.

Whether you are hoping for a weekend in Warsaw or a month in the Maldives, Greenstar has the know-how to help you make the most of your time away.

Congratulations to runners up:

Best in Fitness

🏆 Winner: Colets Health & Fitness; St. Nicholas Rd, Thames Ditton KT7 0PW

Once again the users of this fabulous fitness centre in Thames Ditton have stepped up to the mark and voted Colets Health & Fitness the Essential Surrey Awards’ ‘Best in Fitness’ for the second year running.

Offering a mixture of sports, fitness, yoga, dance and pool-based activities, it also boasts an array of wellness and beauty treatments, including massages, facials and teen-based treatments.

Its family-friendly feel and role as a community hub has once again proved to be a winning formula.

Congratulations to runners up:

Best High Street Shop

🏆 Winner: Neil’s Wheels; 119b Walton Rd, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 0DT

Another East Molesey winner is Neil’s Wheels – a great example of how the community is willing to get behind a local business.

Owner Neil Brand says:

“We are massively thankful for all the support. Lockdown was difficult, especially trying to juggle homeschooling! The problem was getting the parts and stock. Some days we had queues round the block. Cycling is popular in this area anyway but it seemed like everyone was suddenly getting out on their bikes. We have been really lucky and are so thankful to everyone who chose to shop with us.”

Congratulations to runners up:

Best Independent Fashion Boutique 

🏆 Winner: Paradise Boutique; 58a Walton Rd, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 0DL

Since opening in East Molesey in 2018, Paradise Boutique has built up a dedicated customer base under the guidance of fashion and accessories supremo Helen Locke. 

She says:

“You have to adapt. During lockdown, I switched from selling accessories to face masks and wedding attire for luxury loungewear. I offered click and collect and also a post or delivery service. What was really nice was the amount of gifts people were buying for people who they could no longer see but wanted to let them know they were there. The community has been so supportive, which I am really grateful for.”

Congratulations to runners up:

Best Family Attraction

🏆 Winner: Magic Garden; Wilderness Cottage, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU

Adding an extra family-friendly element to the festivities at Hampton Court, the Magic Garden has proved to be very popular with children and parents alike. Little ones can run, climb and play in the sand, while adults soak up the majestic scenery of this historic castle.

Lucy Hutchings, head of Hampton Court Palace, said:

“We’re delighted that the Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace has been recognised as one of Surrey’s top family day out activities. We look forward to welcoming our visitors back when it is safe to do so, to explore everything the playground has to offer, from mythical beasts to a secret grotto.”

Congratulations to runners up:

Best Arts & Crafts Festival

🏆 The Handmade Festival at Hampton Court was named best of the bunch by our readers, closely followed by Farnham Maltings’ yarn spectacular, Unravel; and Reigate Crafters Market.

Best Museum

🏆  Winner: Brooklands Museum, Brooklands Rd, Weybridge KT13 0SL

Once again Brooklands Museum in Weybridge takes the top honours in the Best Museum category – beating off stiff competition from the Bourne Hall Museum in Epsom; The Lightbox, Woking; and the Rural Life Living Museum in Farnham.

Best High Street Florist

🏆  Winner: RTFact; 22 The Parade, Claygate, Esher KT10 0NU

RTFact has been supplying and creating wonderful artificial flower displays for more than 15 years from its base in Claygate.

Owner Dawn Smith says:

“We have been trying to focus on the positives all year so this is great news. Although we had to close the shop three times, we have been kept busy through our work with property developers.

We also have a large online presence and our online sales increased by 40%. The main thing for us was keeping people employed which we were able to do. It has not been easy, but we are hopeful we will be seeing our lovely customers again soon.”

Congratulations to runners up:

Best Beauty Clinic

🏆 Winner: Jaye Bird Aesthetics; 4 Hermitage Rd, St John's, Woking GU21 8TB

Like many of the businesses featured, last year put a considerable strain on Jaye Mills non-surgical cosmetic business. She credits the loyalty of her customers as the main positive to come out of 2020.

Jaye says:

“We work so hard to get recognition, so this really means a lot. It is so good to have satisfied customers who are happy to vote for us.

“We put a lot of ‘how-to’ guides on our social media to keep in touch with clients and deliver products to them. We actually found that our customers were being more adventurous and trying new treatments as they were working from home. We are so grateful people stayed loyal and hopefully, we will see them again soon.”

Congratulations to runners up:

Best Day Out

🏆  Winner: RHS Wisley; Wisley Ln, Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB

It would seem many of our 2019 winners have remained reader favourites as RHS Wisley also makes it two-in-in-a-row in our Best Day Out category.

The fabulous Woking garden is a popular spot for walkers, gardeners and families who are able to soak up its wonderful scenery, trails and events all year round.

Congratulations to runners up:

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