Hailsham Business Awards 2026 Open for Nominations
Nominations are now open for the first Hailsham Business Awards, celebrating businesses from across the wider Hailsham & District area, which will take place on Friday 25th September 2026 at Blackstock Country Estate.
Lightning Fibre is supporting the awards as headline sponsor and Emma Pearce, Head of Marketing, is one of the judging panel - led by Head Judge, Alex Polizzi, renowned hotelier, owner of The Star in Alfriston, and ever-popular TV presenter of 'The Hotel Inspector'.
These awards have added gravitas with a public vote and professional mystery shopping of all finalists by independent customer experience specialists insight6.
Showcasing the Best
The awards are open to businesses of all sizes and sectors, with categories designed to reflect the variety of organisations operating locally.
Nominations are open until 10th May, and anyone in the local community can nominate all the businesses they love and appreciate.
So if you are a local resident or run a business in the Hailsham & District area (BN27 / BN8 etc.), we really encourage you to get your nominations in as soon as you can to ensure the best businesses get the recognition they deserve! You can submit entries across multiple categories.
Award categories include:
- Small Business Award 1–5
- Medium Business Award 6–10
- Large Business Award 11+
- Charity and Community Impact Award
- Health and Wellbeing Award
- Young Achiever Award
- Overall Business Award
- Hospitality Excellence Award
- Property Professional Award
- Creative Media and Advertising Award
- Outstanding Professional Services Award
- Trade Excellence Award
Following the nomination period, entries will be reviewed through a combination of public voting in June, an independent judging panel, and professional mystery enquiries led by insight6.
Star studded Judging Panel
Hotelier and television personality Alex Polizzi will be spearheading the judging for these inaugural awards. She will head an independent panel, helping to ensure a consistent and fair approach across all categories.
Alongside Alex, the panel will be completed by:
- Paul Matthews, Customer Experience Director – insight6 Sussex & Surrey
- Steve Pickering, CEO - Sussex Beds & Host of The Unorthodox CEO Podcast
- Emma Pearce, Head of Marketing - Lightning Fibre
Further information, including how to nominate, is available on the recently launched awards website.
Supporting the Local Community
Emma Pearce, Head of Marketing at Lightning Fibre, said:
“We are so pleased to support the first Hailsham Business Awards and to help recognise the wonderful local businesses that make such a positive contribution to our local economy and the community.”
We’re also continuing our local involvement within the area at the upcoming Hailsham Community Run, where we’re sponsoring the increasingly popular event for the fourth-year running (excuse the pun) next month. Have you signed up yet?
Local Full Fibre Connectivity
Lightning Fibre delivers full fibre broadband to homes and businesses in Hailsham and across East Sussex. You can check availability in your area using the postcode checker on our website or speak to the team on 01323 380260, available daily from 8am to 8pm.
You can also visit the Lightning Fibre shop at the Enterprise Shopping Centre to talk to a member of the team in person, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
For business enquiries, please email business@lightningfibre.co.uk and Joe Brownell will be in touch. You can also read more about Business Broadband on our website.
