Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards shine a spotlight on newcomers and classics

The public vote is now open for the fifth annual Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards, which recognises the Island’s standout tourism businesses across three categories: Places to Stay, Food & Drink, Things to Do and Isle of Woof.

Starting today (Monday 8th April) and continuing until Saturday 31st August, 2024, Island residents and visitors are invited to cast their votes for their most beloved Island businesses. Once closed, a panel of judges will review the top three contenders from each category ahead of the celebratory awards ceremony on Thursday 7th November.

70 newcomers
This year’s awards have drawn a remarkable response, with 167 Island businesses entering for a chance to take away an award. Among them, 70 are newcomers, injecting fresh energy into the competition and shining a light on the Island’s incredible independents. Notable newcomers include:

Heron (Best restaurant)
The Great Wight Bite (Best Island Event)
Isle of Wight Pride (Best Island Event)
Busy Bee Garden Centre (Best Shop)
Spectrum Breaks (Best B&B or Guesthouse)
Cook + Baker (Best café or tearoom)
The Kings Head, Yarmouth (Best Burger)

19 award categories
A total of 19 awards were open for application for businesses, with Best Island Event, Best Pub, Best Shop and Best Café or Tearoom being 2024’s most popular categories.

Newcomer categories also include the ‘Isle of Woof Award’ which celebrates the best of dog-friendly hospitality on the Island, and ‘Best Roast’ due to popular demand.

Collins: We look forward to seeing the votes come in
CEO of Red Funnel, Fran Collins, said,

“The surge in participation for this year’s awards highlights the vibrancy and talent of the Island’s tourism offering. The Isle of Wight is bursting with businesses offering exceptional experiences for both residents and visitors alike.
“The awards are just one of the many ways Red Funnel gives back to our community and champions local providers on the Island. We look forward to seeing the votes come in and celebrating all businesses involved later in the year.”

To cast your vote before Saturday 31st August, visit the website.

All categories can be found below:

Food & Drink