Velvet Awards 2010

Who will you vote for?

 

 

It’s awards season at Velvet magazine as we reveal the nominees for the most coveted awards in the local area. Last year’s winners have set the bar high – it’s going to take a lot to beat the likes of Tuddenham Mill in the ‘first for fine dining award’, and is there a spa out there that can beat Center Parc’s Aqua Sana? If so, we want to hear about it!

There are fifteen awards in total for your favourite local businesses to win. These include ‘first for women’s fashion’, a tough category that features fantastic boutiques such as Petrus Design in Cambridge and Javelin in Bury St Edmunds. We also want to hear about the best bars and clubs in our ‘first for late nights’ category and have nominated favourites such as Soul Tree in Cambridge and De Niros in Newmarket. 

But it’s not just local businesses that can win at the Velvet Awards. By voting for your favourite shops, bars, restaurants, spas and gyms near you, you will automatically be entered into our very special prize draw. We have put together some fantastic competitions this year, and you could win a £275 shopping spree, £400 worth of free interior design and a complete makeover at seanhanna. These are just some of the fantastic prizes we are offering this month, so fill out your entry form and make your votes count! 

The closing date for awards nominations is 19th July 2010. Please send your competitions entry form to Velvet magazine, Goodwin Business Park, Willie Snaith Road, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7SQ, or e-mail competitions@velvetmag.co.uk. The winners will be revealed in the August issue of Velvet magazine. 

 

 

First for Pub Food

This is your chance to vote for your favourite local pub, the pub with the best beer garden, most delicious bar food or widest range of real ales.

The Chequers, Fowlmere

The Fox, Burwell

The Golden Hind, Cambridge 

The Plough Inn, Icklingham

The Anchor, Burwell

The Black Horse, Swaffham Bulbeck

The White Hart, Newmarket

Benson’s Bar & Grill, Bury St. Edmunds

The New Wellington, Newmarket

Thai Street Cafe, Newmarket

Six Bells, Horringer

The Green Man, Six Mile Bottom 

The Red Bull, Newnham

The White Pheasant, Fordham

 

First for Education

Choosing the right school for your child or adult education centre for yourself is such an important decision that we know you will have done your research. Which of these prestigious learning establishments is your top choice? 

Cambridge Professional Academy, 

Mander Portman Woodward, Cambridge 

South Lee School, Bury St Edmunds

King’s School, Ely 

Culford School, Bury St Edmunds

 

First for Men’s Fashion

This is a very tough category as there are some seriously cool menswear boutiques among the nominees. Can Six Whiting Street in Bury St Edmunds win it again? 

Petrus Design, Cambridge/Saffron Walden

Supremebeing, Cambridge

Six Whiting Street, Bury St Edmunds

Javelin, Bury St Edmunds

Johnny Briggs, Newmarket/Saffron Walden

Giulio’s, Cambridge

Animal, Bury St Edmunds

Golding, Newmarket

Gerald Boughton, Bury St Edmunds

Jack & Jones, Cambridge

 

First for Motoring

A new category for this year, this award recognises the car dealership that makes car buying a dream.

Robinsons Mercedes Benz, Cambridge

Elms Mini, Cambridge

Lexus, Cambridge

Mazda Donalds, Bury St Edmunds

Audi, Bury St Edmunds

John Banks Honda, Bury St Edmunds

Robinsons Mercedes Benz, Bury St. Edmunds

Northgate Volkswagen, Bury St Edmunds

 

First for Shoes/Accessories

We all know that accessories make an outfit,  but which local boutique understands that more than any other? Where do you go for stylish shoes,  must-have handbags or stunning jewellery? Vote for your favourite here.  

Abantu, Cambridge

Catherine Jones, Cambridge

The Corner Cupboard, Saffron Walden

Scarlet Shoes, Bury St Edmunds

Pieces, Cambridge

Modish, Saffron Walden

Nicola Sexton Shoes, BSE

Croasdales, Bury St Edmunds

Michael K, Bury St Edmunds

Chica Shoes, Bury St Edmunds

Powell & Bull, Cambridge

Ark, Cambridge

Pandora’s Box, Cambridge

 

First for Women’s Fashion

This is your chance to vote for your favourite fashion boutique, the place you always go to when you need a dress for a special occasion or a stylish outfit for a day or night out. If you had £100 to spend anywhere in the area,  where would it be? 

Petrus Design, Cambridge

Ladytron, Saffron Walden 

Cream, Royston

Bowns, Cambridge 

Javelin, Bury St Edmunds

Martha V, Newmarket

Sunrise, Bury St Edmunds

Anna, Bury St Edmunds

Ruby & Me, Bury St Edmunds

Cuckoo, Cambridge

Cabana, Bury St Edmunds

Gladrags & Handbags, Newmarket

Angela, Long Melford

Animal, Bury St Edmunds 

Le Reve Lingerie, Cambridge

Catfish, Cambridge

 

First for International Cuisine

We all have our favourites when it comes to international food – Chinese, Indian and Italian food has been popular in the UK for decades, and now we’re getting into Turkish and Thai food too. So where do you go for a Sunday night takeaway or a special family meal? 

Charlie Chan, Cambridge

Turkuaz, Newmarket

Don Pasquale, Cambridge

The Fox, Burwell

Thai Street Cafe, Newmarket 

The Old Scotch Indian, Newmarket 

Valley Connection, Bury St. Edmunds

Zen Noodle Bar, Bury St. Edmunds

Orissa, Bury St. Edmunds

Mahal, Cambridge

Moza Indian Buffet, Cambridge

Anatolia, Cambridge

Shiraz, Cambridge

La Tasca, Bury St. Edmunds

La Tasca, Cambridge

La Raza, Cambridge

Prezzo, Newmarket

Chez Gérard, Bury St. Edmunds

 

First for Pure Relaxation

Center Parc’s Aqua Sana has won this award for the last two years – can the super luxurious spa be beaten? Vote for your favourite spa or beauty salon here. 

Aqua Sana, Center Parcs, Elveden Forest

Hair & Beauty Within, Cambridge

Glassworks, Cambridge

Nowton Heritage & Wellbeing Centre, 

Bury St Edmunds

Dragonfly, Burwash Manor

Bamboo Skincare, Cambridge

Bren Pauls, Newmarket

Bliss, Newmarket

Pride, Newmarket

SK Clinic + Spa, Bury St Edmunds

 

First for Late Nights

When you’re all dressed up and ready to party, where do you go? Vote for your favourite night time hangout here. 

Heaven, Newmarket

Innocence, Newmarket

Fez Club, Cambridge

Soul Tree, Cambridge

Unique, Newmarket

The White Hart, Newmarket

De Niros, Newmarket

The Snug, Cambridge

La Raza, Cambridge 

The Gym, Bury St Edmunds

So Bar, Bury St Edmunds 

Twist Bar at Doubletree by Hilton, Cambridge

The Junction, Cambridge

The Place, Cambridge

Hidden Rooms, Cambridge

Vodka Revolution, Cambridge

B Bar, Cambridge

Club Brazilia, Bury St Edmunds

 

First for A Day or Evening Out

Calling all out-and-abouters, outdoor adventurers and betting enthusiasts. Vote for your favourite day or evening out here. 

The West Wing at Ickworth

Wild Tracks

Go Ape

Elveden Estate

Center Parcs, Elveden

Newmarket Nights

Red Lodge Karting

Scudamore Punting

Anglesey Abbey

Abbey Gardens

Wimpole Hall & Farm

Kettle’s Yard

Theatre Royal, Bury St. Edmunds

Ely Cathedral

Duxford Air Museum

Fitzwilliam Museum

 

First for Diet and Fitness

These nominees prove that keeping fit and healthy doesn’t have to be boring - which do you turn to when you want to get in shape?  

Pole Fitness, Cambridge

Activate Pilates, Fulbourn

Jazzercise, Newmarket

Jazzercise, BSE

CamYoga, Cambridge

Perfect U, Newmarket

LighterLife, Newmarket

The Edge, Newmarket

Greens, Cambridge

Glassworks, Cambridge

LA Fitness, Bury St. Edmunds

David Lloyd, Cambridge

First for Fitness, Cambridge

Clarice House, Cambridge

 

First for Weddings

The perfect wedding venue offers a stylish setting,  an impressive menu and a complete dedication to making your special day the best it can be. Which of these venues fits the bill?

The West Wing at Ickworth

The Bedford Lodge, Newmarket

Palace House, Newmarket

The Maltings, Ely

Ravenwood Hall, Bury St Edmunds

Priory Hotel, Bury St Edmunds

Barrington Hall, Barrington

Doubletree by Hilton, Cambridge

Hotel Felix, Cambridge

The Jockey Club, Newmarket

Sheene Mill, Royston

 

First for Perfect Hair

Which hair salon makes you feel like a million dollars? Which salon deserves an award for its friendly staff,  stylish decor and dedication to making you look beautiful? Last year’s winner was Pride in Newmarket – can they do it again? 

Sean Hanna, Cambridge

Blink Hair, Cambridge

Hair and Beauty Within, Cambridge

Elajé Hair & Beauty, Cambridge 

Essensuals, Cambridge

Lawrence Paul, Bury St Edmunds

Gavin Ashley, Bury St Edmunds

Pride, Newmarket

Diva, Newmarket

Rush London, Bury St Edmunds

Celik’s Mensroom, Newmarket/Cambridge

Toni & Guy, Newmarket

Venus, Newmarket

Saks, Saffron Walden

 

First for Photography

Mark Ashworth won this coveted award last year – can he do it again?

Amante Wedding Photography

Hannah Duffy Photography

Kimberley York Photography

Richard Corbett

Lafayette Photography

Mark Ashworth

Dumbletons

Eric Young

Jacqui Matthews

Chris Wray

 

First for Interiors

Which of these nominees do you rely on to make your house a home? Vote for your favourite here. 

Redsquare, Newmarket

Angel + Blume, Cambridge

Homebrands, Newmarket

Showhouse Furniture, Newmarket

Kitchenology, Bury St Edmunds

Kitchensmiths, Cambridge 

Design Republic, Newmarket

Copeland Interiors, Bury St Edmunds

Clement Joscelyne, BSE & Cambridge

By Design, Cambridge

Abbeygate Showroom, Bury St Edmunds

Ivett and Reed, Cambridge

 

First for Fine Dining

We’re lucky to have so many fantastic restaurants nearby. But which restaurant serves the most delicious, most beautifully-presented food in the most stylish surroundings? 

Alimentum, Cambridge

Graffiti Restaurant at Hotel Felix

The Golden Boar Inn, Freckenham

Restaurant 17, University Arms, Cambridge

Pea Porridge, Bury St. Edmunds

Frederick’s, The Ickworth Hotel

Carriages, The Rutland Arms

Sheene Mill, Royston

Doubletree by Hilton, Cambridge

The Orangery, Bedford Lodge, Newmarket

Tuddenham Mill, Tuddenham

Maison Bleue, Bury St. Edmunds

The Olde Bull Inn, Barton Mills

Hotel Du Vin, Cambridge

 

First for Hotels

Every hotel in the area wants to win this award, and last year it was the Ickworth Hotel that took home the trophy. Can it beat tough competition from the likes of Tuddenham Mill and Hotel Felix to win again? 

The Crowne Plaza, Cambridge

The DoubleTree by Hilton, Cambridge

Hotel Felix, Cambridge

Tuddenham Mill, Tuddenham (Nr Newmarket)

Ickworth Hotel, Bury St Edmunds

Swynford Paddocks, Newmarket

Bedford Lodge, Newmarket

Priory Hotel, Bury St Edmunds