WINNERS of the annual Muddy Stilettos Awards have celebrated taking the top spot.
A distillery, a yoga instructor and a historic hotel in Rugby Borough were among the 27 independent businesses to win the coveted lifestyle awards in Warwickshire and the West Midlands.
Readers of the Muddy Stilettos website – an ‘urban guide to the countryside’ for women – voted for their favourite local businesses in categories including best destination pub, wedding venue, and yoga studio.
Claire Bradley (left) won the award for Best Yoga/Pilates Studio.
Winners in Rugby included Rugby Distillery for Best Local Food/Drink Producer, Coombe Abbey Hotel for Best Hotel/Inn with more than 30 bedrooms, and Claire Bradley as Best Yoga/Pilates Studio.
Claire, who qualified as a certified Yoga Teacher in 2018, established her business while working as a Music Administrator at Rugby School. She now teaches Yoga full time and also leads a series of wellness events throughout the year.
She said: “I am overwhelmed by this award. To share what I love and have people enjoy my offerings is reward enough, so this recognition and accolade has left me speechless and immensely joyful.
“I am grateful to everyone who took the time to vote for me.”
Coombe Abbey Hotel won Best Hotel/Inn with more than 30 bedrooms.
Coombe Abbey Hotel beat The Telegraph Hotel in Coventry, Mallory Court Hotel and Spa in Leamington, and The Arden Hotel and Hotel Indigo in Stratford to claim its title.
Rebecca Freeman, Head of Marketing at Coombe Abbey Hotel, said: “We are over-the-moon to have won this award which recognises the dedication and hard work of all our staff at the hotel. We would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote for us.”
Laura Kearns, Editor of Muddy Stilettos Warwickshire and West Midlands, hosted a Winners’ Drinks event at Wootton Park in Wootton Wawen.
She said: “The ethos of Muddy Stilettos is all about celebrating and supporting the most unique, interesting, brilliant local businesses.
“The response to this year’s Muddy Awards has been astonishing, with 75,000 businesses nominated and some 760,000 votes cast across the counties. It’s given such a fantastic boost and a well-deserved pat-on-the-back to so many.
“It was great to celebrate with the winners and I hope this award will give them even greater confidence to keep persevering, growing and being creative.”
Visit https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/winners for a complete list of Muddy Stiletto regional award winners.
