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Who will follow in footsteps of King’s Lynn firm Steele Media to be named Business of the Year 2026?

By Jeremy Ransome

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jeremy.ransome@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Published: 06:00, 13 February 2026

In just three week’s time we will find out who will follow in the footsteps of Steele Media and be named The Mayor’s Business of the Year for 2026.

The 37th annual West Norfolk Mayor’s Business Awards take place on Friday, March 6, at Alive Corn Exchange in Lynn, when 12 category winners will also be celebrated.

The team at Steele Media, which won the Mayor's Business of the Year in 2025. Picture: Ian BurtThe team at Steele Media, which won the Mayor's Business of the Year in 2025. Picture: Ian Burt
The team at Steele Media, which won the Mayor’s Business of the Year in 2025. Picture: Ian Burt

Headline sponsor for the glittering black tie occasion is again West Norfolk Council, with the Lynn News and our sister publication Your Local Paper organising the event. Popular ITV Anglia presenter David Whiteley will be hosting.

This prestigious annual awards programme is a memorable highlight in the region’s business calendar, attracting hundreds of nominations every year from businesses across West Norfolk.

After winning the Business of the Year accolade in 2025, Steele Media owner Gary Pooley said: “I’m just proud on behalf of the team. They put so much effort into everything they do for clients.

Guests at the 2025 Mayor's Business Awards. Picture: Ian BurtGuests at the 2025 Mayor's Business Awards. Picture: Ian Burt
Guests at the 2025 Mayor’s Business Awards. Picture: Ian Burt

“I started the company 25 years ago with a vision of helping local businesses promote themselves. Over the years, it has grown, and I have brought on board a fantastic team behind me to support me, and we’ve gone from strength to strength.”

The full list of shortlisted candidates is below:

Environmental Champion (sponsored by West Norfolk Council): British Sugar, Wissington Factory and Goodwins Hall Care Home.

Small Business of the Year (Mapus-Smith & Lemmon LLP): Charterhouse Property Solutions, Crown and Anchor, Wiggenhall St Germans and GH Hair Design.

Business Innovation (Metcalfe Copeman & Pettefar LLP): GH Hair Design and S&L Self-Harm Distraction Kits.

Apprentice/Trainee of the Year (Greenyard): Molly Pybus (British Sugar) and Ewan Bimpson (Watatunga Wildlife Reserve).

King’s Lynn Champion (Discover King’s Lynn): The Dice Box and Stephenson Smart (East Anglia) Limited.

Employee of the Year (MARS): Ellie Yusuf (Dedicated Care East Anglia Ltd) and Rebecca Vass (West Norfolk Deaf Association).

Customer Care (My House Agency): Angel Aesthetics Limited, Goodwins Hall Care Home and The Bottom Drawer Bridal.

Leisure & Tourism (Fraser Dawbarns LLP): Crabpot Cottages, The Majestic Cinema and True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum.

Independent Retailer of the Year (sponsorship available): Mabel Bakery Ltd, Norfolk Cars Mini Specialist and The Bottom Drawer Bridal.

Business Leader of the Year (British Sugar): Alex Johnson (Charter House Property Solutions), James Cowell (King’s Lynn Construction Ltd) and Jo Wallace (JW Pet Services)

Best Established Business of the Year (Brown & Co): Dedicated Care East Anglia, Greenyard Frozen, Hayley Dexis East Anglia

Champions in Agriculture (Brown & Co): Ben Burgess & Co, Collinson Cut Flowers Ltd, O.W. Wortley & Sons Ltd

West Norfolk Council are the headline sponsor and the Environmental Champions award sponsorWest Norfolk Council are the headline sponsor and the Environmental Champions award sponsor
West Norfolk Council are the headline sponsor and the Environmental Champions award sponsor
British Sugar is sponsoring the Business Leader AwardBritish Sugar is sponsoring the Business Leader Award
British Sugar is sponsoring the Business Leader Award
Mapus-Smith & Lemmon LLP is sponsoring Small Business of the YearMapus-Smith & Lemmon LLP is sponsoring Small Business of the Year
Mapus-Smith & Lemmon LLP is sponsoring Small Business of the Year
My House Agency has sponsored the Customer Care awardMy House Agency has sponsored the Customer Care award
My House Agency has sponsored the Customer Care award
Fraser Dawbarns sponsor the Leisure and Tourism categoryFraser Dawbarns sponsor the Leisure and Tourism category
Fraser Dawbarns sponsor the Leisure and Tourism category
MARS is sponsoring the Employee of the Year awardMARS is sponsoring the Employee of the Year award
MARS is sponsoring the Employee of the Year award
Discover King's Lynn has sponsored the King’s Lynn Champion awardDiscover King's Lynn has sponsored the King’s Lynn Champion award
Discover King’s Lynn has sponsored the King’s Lynn Champion award
Brown & Co are sponsoring Champions in Agriculture and Best Established Business of the YearBrown & Co are sponsoring Champions in Agriculture and Best Established Business of the Year
Brown & Co are sponsoring Champions in Agriculture and Best Established Business of the Year
Greenyard are sponsoring the Apprentice or Trainee of the Year awardGreenyard are sponsoring the Apprentice or Trainee of the Year award
Greenyard are sponsoring the Apprentice or Trainee of the Year award
Metcalfe Copeman Pettefar are sponsoring the Business Innovation awardMetcalfe Copeman Pettefar are sponsoring the Business Innovation award
Metcalfe Copeman Pettefar are sponsoring the Business Innovation award

Business Free Kings Lynn Jeremy Ransome

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Source: www.lynnnews.co.uk