Independent business owners from around Buckinghamshire are ‘super proud' to have been nominated by their customers for this year’s Muddy Stilettos awards.

Shops, cafes, restaurants and fitness studios spanning much of the county are celebrating their inclusion in the lifestyle brand Muddy Stilettos’ shortlist of the crème-de-le-crème across the Bucks and Oxfordshire region.

The awards – which close for voting on April 18 – are especially meaningful because they are entirely based on customer nominations, representing a locals-approved view of the best small businesses across a range of categories.

Ren Reed, a personal trainer and fitness coach who founded Coached by Ren in High Wycombe, is a shortlisted nominee for Best Fitness Instructor across Bucks and Oxon.

She said being recognised for her work was an “amazing feeling”, adding: “I have always aimed to inspire and empower women to become the best versions of themselves.

“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude to be nominated alongside some fantastic instructors in the area.”

The owner of Marlow-based gift shop Twenty Three Living, Louise Haisman, also said she was “very pleased” to see the business nominated for Best Lifestyle Store by Muddy Stilettos.

Bucks Free Press:

Louise said she had been off work when the nomination process launched and was unaware that her customers had put the shop forward for recognition, seemingly without any prompting.

She said: “It was a lovely surprise. We’re very excited about it. It’s tough out there for independents, so it’s really good to see a few Marlow businesses on the list. Hopefully, it’ll be a boost for the high street.”

Meanwhile, Zoe Smith, the one-man-band behind Studio 39, a florist based in Beaconsfield, said she too was “super, super proud” to be nominated for Best Florist in the region.

Zoe said: “It’s really nice, even just to get this far. I make, order and collect everything myself, so it’s lovely to see this kind of support.

Bucks Free Press:

“I also pride myself on looking after my customers, which I think people appreciate. The one-on-one experience is so important.”

The winners of Muddy Stilettos’ regional awards will be announced on May 2. They will then go through to the national finals, where the absolute best of the best, as judged by Muddy Stilettos’ editors, will be revealed on July 11.

Check out the full list of Buckinghamshire nominees below:

 

BEST ARTS, CULTURE AND THEATRE 

MK Gallery, Milton Keynes

Queens Park Arts Centre, Aylesbury

 

BEST BAR 

Duke’s Wine Bar, Princes Risborough

The Manor, Aylesbury

 

BEST BEAUTY SALON/CLINIC 

Little Retreat, Chalfont St Giles

Oasis Health and Beauty Spa, Great Missenden

Urban Escape, Marlow

 

BEST BOUTIQUE STAY 

The Five Arrows, Waddesdon

 

BEST CAFÉ 

Cornwall Place Kitchen, Buckingham

 

BEST CASUAL DINING 

Ginger Wings, Marlow

Prelibato, Beaconsfield

READ MORE: New dry cleaners opens to 'fill demand' in Bourne End area

 

BEST CHILDREN’S BUSINESS 

Knits Upstitched, Aylesbury

 

BEST DESTINATION PUB 

The Coach, Marlow

 

BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION 

Lillingstone Pick Your Own, Buckingham

Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden

 

BEST FARMSHOP/DELI 

Lacey’s Family Farm Shop, Lane End

Peterley Farm, Great Missenden

 

BEST FITNESS INSTRUCTOR 

Coached by Ren, High Wycombe

Charlie Ede, Amersham

Bo Kuszynski, High Wycombe

 

BEST FLORIST 

Studio 39, Hazlemere

The Flower House, Aylesbury

The Rockery, Weston Turville

 

BEST HAIR SALON 

Abstract, Beaconsfield

Brendan O’Sullivan, Amersham

Hair Host, Milton Keynes

The Room, Berryfields

 

BEST HOTEL 

Hartwell House, Aylesbury

 

BEST LIFESTYLE STORE 

Last, Haddenham

Twenty Three Living, Marlow

 

BEST LOCAL FOOD/DRINK PRODUCER 

Daws Hill Vineyard, Radnage

Fr’um Dark But Fr’iendly, High Wycombe

Wolverton Gin, Wolverton

 

BEST RESTAURANT 

Pluma, Amersham

 

BEST WINE AND BEER SPECIALIST 

Chez Ben, Marlow

Lloyd’s Wines, Prestwood

 

BEST WOMEN’S FASHION/ACCESSORIES 

Fabric, Amersham

Stella and Wolf, Chesham

 

BEST YOGA/PILATES STUDIO 

Form, Amersham

Urban Om Yoga, Buckingham

Yoga Barn, Saunderton Lee

Yoga Hook, Gerrards Cross