The Beacon Awards 2026 shortlist names finalists in 10 categories from 175 nominations, from Chasetown FC to Lichfield Maize Maze. Winners follow on 3 December.

The finalists for the 2026 Beacon Awards have been named, with 10 categories drawn from 175 nominations. Winners will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday 3 December at the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens (Lichfield District Council, 3 November 2026).

The awards are in their third year. They recognise businesses, organisations and individuals across the district. Roxane UK is the headline sponsor, and Palletways UK is sponsoring the pre-dinner drinks.

Councillor Richard Holland, the Cabinet member for high street and economic development, said the standard “has been incredibly high this year”.

Three names have reached the final in three categories each: Lichfield Garrick, Lichfield Maize Maze and Mercian Labels Ltd.

The finalists

Community Hero, sponsored by Crystal Care Collection

  • Alice Ryman
  • Chris Price
  • James Lewis
  • Jemma Tisco-Johnson
  • Marisha Place
  • Ross Hawkes

Community Impact, sponsored by On Tick Events

  • Chasetown Football Club
  • Lichfield Garrick
  • Pathway Project
  • Shenstone Community Library
  • The Hub at St Mary’s
  • Tippers

Customer Experience

  • Cathedral Hearing
  • Lichfield Maize Maze
  • Mercian Labels Ltd
  • Obsession Salon & Spa
  • Online Marketing Surgery
  • RB Collection

Hospitality and Independent Business, sponsored by MPS

  • Get Stuffed Group Ltd
  • Le Rêve
  • Patty Freaks Lichfield
  • Poms Lichfield
  • Spiritualist Lichfield
  • The Dirty Cow

Industry and Enterprise, sponsored by Shire House

  • Haywoods Contracts Limited
  • Kembla Ltd
  • Mercian Labels Ltd
  • Palletways
  • Roxane UK

Large Business of the Year

  • Crown Highways Ltd
  • Lichfield Garrick
  • Mercian Labels Ltd
  • Palletways
  • Roxane UK
  • Tippers

New Business of the Year, sponsored by Vista Planning

  • Jetts 24hr Fitness
  • Mathnasium of Lichfield and Tamworth
  • Seedlings Baby
  • The Pilates Studio Lichfield
  • Vicky McTear Specialist Dyslexia Services
  • WDM Group Ltd

Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Print & Digital

  • Fix Auto Lichfield, trading as Lichfield Accident Repair Centre
  • InLIFE
  • JC Academy Ltd
  • Lichfield Maize Maze
  • The Boss Partnership
  • Zephi Ltd

Tourism and Visitor Attraction, sponsored by South Staffordshire College

  • Beacon Park Tribute Festival
  • Lichfield Discovered
  • Lichfield Garrick
  • Lichfield Maize Maze
  • Royal British Legion Remembrance Gardens
  • The Dirty Cow

Young Professional, sponsored by Palletways

  • Charlotte Botterill
  • Eleanor Ham
  • Euan Ennis
  • Lily-Mae Gimson
  • Michael Harvey

Who judged them

The council says a panel “independently reviewed and scored” the nominations. It had six members:

  • Rob Gittins, UK managing director of Palletways
  • Matt Clay, director of developments and partnerships at Lichfield Garrick
  • Terri-Anne Cooper, sales and marketing director at Roxane UK
  • Maggi Huckfield, chief executive of Liberty Jamboree
  • Simon Warburton, executive director of Lichfield Cathedral
  • Councillor Richard Holland

Palletways, Lichfield Garrick and Roxane UK are all on the shortlist, so three of the six panel members work for finalists. The council’s release does not say whether they stepped aside when their own organisations were scored.

Speaking for the panel, Rob Gittins said: “There were some incredibly strong entries across the categories, and it certainly wasn’t an easy task narrowing them down.”

What it means for you

  • If you know a finalist, the result comes on 3 December. The council says winners will be announced on the night.
  • This is a good list of places to try. The hospitality and new business categories in particular name independent firms that readers may not know yet.

Sources