The date: Monday 10 July 2023. The venue: Kelvedon’s Old Essex Barn. The occasion: The Muddy Stilettos Essex Awards 2023 winners’ drinks! The wind may not have been on our side (blowdries ruined a-plenty), but otherwise the celebration was a breeze (pun intended).

Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards certificates

Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex Editor Claire Muffett-Reece and Commercial Sales Manager Nav Dhanoa — Commercial Sales Manager Nav with Editor Claire

Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards drinks

Winners mingling at Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

Thought the 2022 competition fierce? Check out this year’s stats! Over 77,000 businesses entered and 800,000 nominations and votes were cast. We also had 1.6 million people interacting across all counties. Us Essex lot were one of the top performers – no lie, we got a ‘well done’ email from HQ! It just goes to show how much you love supporting your favourite Essex indie.

IN IT TO WIN IT

Sponsored by Chelmsford City Racecourse, the Muddy Stilettos Essex Awards 2023 event kicked off at 5pm. Editor Claire and Commercial Sales Manager Nav were on hand to say hello while handing out name tags (at least the ones that hadn’t blown into the car park bushes).

Artisans Hub The Luna Edit Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

Fete Grays Yard, Red Lion Books Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

Essex stays and Totally Yoga Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

Wear ’em Out and Artisans Bun Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

Call of the Wild Zoo Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

THE VENUE

While snapper James Rudland Photography and videographer Pursey Productions captured images and footage, Old Essex Barn offered Prosecco and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as delicious canapés. As you can see from the pics, the venue’s stunning, with the barn set in a restored 15th century working farm with plenty of space inside and out.

Canapes Old Essex Barn Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

A* Photography & Film Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

Guests enjoying canapés at Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

Shop Number Six Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

The Hungry Tribe Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

EXTRA TOUCHES

As the Muddy Stilettos Essex Awards 2023 winners mingled (eventually retreating inside to escape the wind causing many a wardrobe mishap), they were greeted to #MUDDYESSEX five foot light up letters from Maldon’s Fairytale Finishes. Combined with a balloon display from Tiptree’s Inflated Occasions, it was one of the most Instagrammed moments of the event.

Light up letters Fairytale Finishes and Inflated Occasions Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

But that’s not all! Dunmow’s Lucy’s Glitter Box was also on hand to sparkle guests up courtesy of their indoor glitter bar. It didn’t take long for everyone to get involved, with the blokes glittered up as much as the ladies!

Lucy's Glitter Box Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

Lucy's Glitter Box Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

JK Beauty Lucy's Glitter Box Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

A LITTLE MAGIC

Next came Claire’s speech, congratulating the Muddy Stilettos Essex Awards 2023 winners before handing over to Earls Colne’s Neil Devlin Magic. Neil had been busy performing interactive card tricks while winners chatted, then took to the mic for stand-up magic you have to see to believe!

Editor Claire Muffett-Reece Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night winners

Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night winners The Boundary

Neil Devlin Magic Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

WINNERS’ TREATS

It was then time for photos, with our Essex winners proudly clutching their certificates – and some with goodie bags already in hand. We’re not surprised – the goodie bags were amazing! As well as a voucher from national sponsor, Beauty Pie, they were packed with treats from Essex companies. So that’s a big thank you to Bean & Boy Handmade Soap, Fairfields Farm, Maldon Salt, The Big Bear Cider, The Hungry Tribe and Tiptree Gin.

Goodie bags Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

Goodie bags Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

Winners also took home some incredible chocolates from Sugar Box London, kept separate as the boxes were too gorgeous not to put on display. Check out how stylish they are!

Sugar Box London Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU

We finally have to say a big thank you to all you readers. Why? Showing your support and love for local Essex businesses makes our Awards unique, personal and relevant.

Guests and winners Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

Guests and winners Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

Winners with their certificates Muddy Stilettos 2023 Essex awards night

Take a look at the well-deserved winners with their certificates below. It’s also worth checking out the very last photo. Why? The large wine Claire downed after the speech she was dreading had clearly taken hold…

CONGRATULATIONS to our Muddy Stilettos Essex Awards 2023 winners!

Best Art Gallery Chelmer Fine Art — **ART GALLERY**: Chelmer Fine Art

Best Bar Number 92 Braintree — **BAR**: Number 92

Best Beauty Salon JK Beauty — **BEAUTY SALON/CLINIC**: JK Beauty

Best Bookshop Red Lion Books — **BOOKSHOP**: Red Lion Books

Best Boutique Stay Essex Stays — **BOUTIQUE STAY**: Essex Stays

Best Bridal Store Abigail's Collection — **BRIDAL STORE**: Abigail’s Collection

Best Children's Business Green Earth Learning — **CHILDREN’S BUSINESS**: Green Earth Learning

Best Day Spa Lifehouse Spa & Hotel — **DAY SPA**: Lifehouse Spa & Hotel

Best Destination Pub: Lion and Lamb — **DESTINATION PUB**: Lion and Lamb

Best Family Attraction Call of the Wild Zoo — **FAMILY ATTRACTION**: Call of the Wild Zoo

Best Farmshop/Deli Nanny Kay's Farm Shop — **FARMSHOP/DELI**: Nanny Kay’s Farm Shop

Best Fitness Instructor Lorna Cole Fitness Fever — **FITNESS INSTRUCTOR**: Lorna Cole, Fitness Fever

Best Florist The Botanical Shed — **FLORIST**: The Botanical Shed

Best Hair Salon Lipstick & Locks Braintree — **HAIR SALON**: Lipstick & Locks

Best Hotel Down Hall — **HOTEL**: Down Hall

Best Jeweller The Luna Edit — **JEWELLER**: The Luna Edit

Best Lifestyle Store Little Boat Gifts — **LIFESTYLE STORE**: Little Boat Gifts

Best Local Food Producer The Hungry Tribe — **LOCAL FOOD PRODUCER**: The Hungry Tribe

Best New Lifestyle Start-Up Artisans Hub — **NEW LIFESTYLE START-UP**: Artisans Hub

Best Restaurant Fête Grays Yard — **RESTAURANT**: Fête Grays Yard

Best Sustainable Lifestyle Business Wear ’em Out — **SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE BUSINESS**: Wear ’em Out

Best Theatre Thameside Theatre — **THEATRE**: Thameside Theatre

Best Wedding Photographer A* Photography & Film — **WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER**: A* Photography & Film

Best Wedding Venue The Boundary — **WEDDING VENUE**: The Boundary

Best Women's Fashion Number Six — **WOMEN’S FASHION**: Number Six

Best Yoga Pilates Studio Totally Yoga — **YOGA/PILATES STUDIO**: Totally Yoga

Editor Claire sums up the end of a busy night!

Pop the corks – it’s the Muddy Stilettos Essex Awards 2023 drinks!

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