CONGRATULATIONS to these beautiful Northants based businesses! The Muddy Stilettos Awards 2019 has seen thousands upon thousands of you supporting the local businesses you love the most. The competition this year has been fiercer than ever and everyone involved should be very proud of what they’ve achieved.

If you’re a regular reader (or voter!) you’ll know that The Muddy Awards are free to all and run as a good-natured, positive celebration of the most brilliant, unique and unmissable businesses across the Muddy counties. Northants always gets a brilliant reaction and thousands of you vote across 24 lifestyle categories, showing how much we all appreciate independence and creativity.

From yours truly – a gibbering wreck of an editor, crossed eyed with checking spreadsheets  – it’s a heartfelt and whopping great THANK YOU and multiple love emoji  to everyone who took part or voted.

But enough blather from me. Want to meet your winners? *drum roll please…

Anna-Lou and the Muddy team x

THE MUDDY STILETTOS AWARD WINNERS 2019!

Best Art Gallery: Alfred East Art Gallery, Kettering

Best Beauty Salon: Kolaine Beauty Lounge, Kettering

Best Bar: No 76, Desborough

Best Bookshop: Magazine Heaven, Rushden

Best Boutique Stay: The Swallows Rest, Brigstock

Best Café: The Water Mill Tearooms, Woodford

Best Children’s Business: Tutu Teddies

Best Day Spa: Whittlebury Hall Hotel & Spa

Best Destination Pub: The Red Lion, Cranford

Best Family Attraction: West Lodge Rural Centre, Desborough

Best Farmshop/Deli: Beckworth Emporium, Sywell

Best Local Food/Drink Producer: Warner’s Distillery, Harrington

Best Florist: Buds and Blooms, Finedon

Best Fitness Instructor: Amy West PT

Best Gift Shop: The Bean Hive, Kettering

Best Hair Salon: Sascha Louise Salon, Rushden

Best Interiors Store: The Vintage Guru, Northampton

Best Jewellery Store: Carry My Heart Keepsakes, Corby

Best Newcomer: The Bean Hive, Kettering

Best Restaurant: Hops & Chops, Northampton

Best Photographer: Amy Woodham Photography

Best Theatre/Arts Venue: The Royal & Derngate, Northampton

Best Women’s Store: Stefanie Jayne’s, Mawsley

Best Yoga/Pilates Instructor: Yoga Senses (Rebecca Gartshore)

Huge thanks to our very generous sponsors Elms Meadow Tipi Weddings & Events, Burnt Lemon Catering, Explore Chocolate, Three Hills Brewing, Hustle GIN, The Vanilla Bean Cake Company, Stonyfield Wine, The Rum Bah Bar, KidsStop, Postbox Party Fritz Photography and Versatile Event Management.