All images taken by Ditty Lens Photography

Another year (our 11th in fact!) and another clutch of amazing local businesses to celebrate. Last week saw our Muddy Awards Winners’ Drinks 2024 close this year’s regional awards officially, and it was amazing to meet so many inspirational Suffolk & Cambs businesses, and hopefully help them on their way to even bigger things.

Making it to our annual drinks party is no mean feat for these brilliant businesses. The Muddy Awards, in partnership with national sponsor Tide and local sponsor Buckles Law, are a huge deal and the competition was bigger than ever this year, reaching over 10 million people nationally in 8 weeks, with over 515,000 votes and nominations being cast nationwide!

The Angel Hotel exterior Muddy Stilettos

So, on an almost sunny June evening glad rags were donned, stilettos were strapped on, and the fizz flowed as the local winners of the Muddy Awards 2024 – as voted by you – gathered to celebrate being crowned the ‘best of the best’ in Suffolk & Cambs in the atmospheric Vaults at The Angel Hotel in Bury St Edmunds.

entrance to the vaults where the muddy awards party took place

The Vaults couldn’t have been a better fit for our Awards. The space is intimate, cool and glamorous – reflecting Muddy Stilettos’ ethos and style to a tee. It’s a brilliant space for private parties, but there are also many live music events and supper clubs throughout the year too.

Of course, The Vaults are just a small part of a much larger and stunning hotel with 74 rooms, a beautiful restaurant and bar and the best location in town – directly opposite the Abbey Gardens.

Talking of the the gardens, our winners enjoyed a special Abbey Garden cocktail on arrival served from the cool underground bar and then chatted, mingled and forged new friendships and partnerships while being served moreish canapés.

Then it was onto the serious business of speech-making, the handing out of certificates and the drinking of Prosecco. Editor Hollie said a few words before each business came up to collect their shiny gold certificate from Commercial Manager Fran.

Muddy Stilettos editor Hollie making an Awards speech

Every winner had their picture taken by the brilliant Millie from Ditty Lens Photography, a Cambridgeshire-based photographer, who captured the evening perfectly and is a dream to work with. If you’re getting married or need an event photographer – she’s your girl.

Of course, a Muddy Awards party wouldn’t be half as good without help from some lovely local businesses and we were delighted that Charley from A2D Wedding & Event Styling arranged some pretty flowers for us to make the photo backdrop pop.

There were also three tiers of delicious Muddy Awards cupcakes, courtesy of the talented Alison Bond from Bury St Edmunds, for winners to enjoy.

All winners and their guests also received a goody bag filled to the brim with fabulous local products.

Awards goody bags Muddy Stilettos Suffolk and Cambs 2024

Inside every bag there was: a foldable Panama hat and discount voucher from stunning new Halesworth shop Boho & Blyth, a spa voucher from The Gainsborough Health Club & Spa near Sudbury, a premium canned cocktail from Niche Cocktails in Easton, a unique coaster or keyring from country gift designer Muddy Footprints, a brilliant pink and gold special edition soap from Soaps n Scrubs in Sudbury, an out-of-this-world brownie from Gnawtybites at The Grey House in Hemingford Grey, and an activity voucher for Ferry Meadows near Peterborough.

The team from Buckles Law, our local sponsors for the Muddy Awards 2024

It was fab to welcome five members of the team from our local sponsor Buckles Law, based in Peterborough and Cambridge to celebrate with us. We can’t think of a nicer, more professional and approachable team to deal with when it comes to sorting any legal matters. Check out some of their amazing advice here and keep your eyes peeled for more insightful features in the coming months.

The evening was a delight from beginning to end. Getting to meet and catch-up with inspirational and creative business owners who make living in Suffolk & Cambs a privilege was truly wonderful – after all finding brilliant local businesses is right at the heart of Muddy and we really do love it.

A little last word from Fran and Hollie… from the readers who loyally voted and supported, (not once but twice) to the amazing finalists who fended off the competition to reach the top five in each category, and, of course the incredible 2024 winners, you are all AMAZING! THANK YOU for making this year’s Muddy Awards the best yet.

Now let’s say one final cheers to our awesome winners…

Clockwise from top left: Richie from Ipswich Regent Theatre; Dan and Leon from La Vida Showbar, Felixstowe; Alex and Lucy from The Four Bells Glamping in Hawstead; Mellissa, Sarah, Mia and Donna from Look Wright Aesthetics, Ipswich

awards winners in suffolk and cambridge 2024 — Clockwise from top left: April from The Lakehouse Café, Stowmarket; Charlie from Beach Street Felixstowe; Kevin and Kate from The Queen’s Head at Bramfield; Louise from World of Play, Ixworth

Clockwise from top left: Jane and Caroline from High Lodge Leisure Ltd, Darsham; George and Edward from Johnsons of Old Hurst; Emma from Peony & Peach Florist; and Jeremy and Kate from Infinite Potential Fitness, Stowmarket

Clockwise from top left: Abby and Carly from Revolution Hair Design, St Ives; Susie, Adrian and George from The Garden Room at Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham; Tristan and Zoe from The Little Pig Bakery; Kate from Provenance Prix + Mortar, Whittlesford

Awards winners posing with certificates — From left: Duncan and Hannah from The Wee Vinoteca at Burwash Manor; Helen from HD Core & More, Kesgrave

CONGRATULATIONS you fabulous lot! Same again next year?!

Pop the corks! Behind the scenes at the Muddy Awards drinks 2024

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