The 1066 Business Awards are returning for their third year, and for 2027 there are some exciting changes to make the awards more inclusive, more accessible and easier than ever to enter.

The awards celebrate the businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations that make Hastings and Rother thrive.

Here’s what the Let’s Do Business Group has to say about the 2027 awards: “We’re passionate about celebrating the people behind our local business community. Every day we see businesses creating jobs, supporting local people, investing in our towns and making a real difference. The 1066 Business Awards are our opportunity to shine a spotlight on those achievements.

“This year we’re especially pleased to be working alongside Hastings Chamber of Commerce and Bexhill Chamber of Commerce as co-hosts, bringing together businesses from across Hastings and Rother to celebrate the very best our area has to offer.”

Easier to Enter

The application process has been simplified.

Entering is now completely online, making it quicker and easier to nominate your own business or recognise another business, organisation or individual who deserves to be celebrated.

Entry remains completely free.

New Categories for More Businesses

Award categories have ben simplified to ensure there’s something for businesses of every shape and size.

Whether you’re a new start-up, a growing employer, a sole trader, a customer service champion or an organisation making a difference in the community, there’s a category for you.

2027 Award Categories

• Best New Business
• Community Spirit (two awards)
• Customer Excellence
• Employer of the Year
• Growth Champion
• Lone Ranger
• Sustainability and Innovation Champion
• Business of the Year

Introducing Our New Business Breakfast

One of the biggest changes for 2027 is the celebration event.

For some businesses, attending a lunchtime awards ceremony has become difficult due to both time and cost.

That’s why Let’s Do Business Group has reworked the celebration events in to a new Business Breakfast, making it easier for more businesses to join us for what promises to be an inspiring morning.

Taking place on Friday February 26th 2027 at the Hastings Centre, the event will include:

• Breakfast
• Networking with businesses from across Hastings and Rother
• An inspiring guest speaker
• Celebration of our finalists
• Announcement of the 2027 award winners

It’s all the celebration and recognition of previous years in a format that’s more accessible to our business community.

Key Dates

Award entries open: 27th July 2026

Entries close: 20th November 2026

Tickets on sale: 4th January 2027

Shortlist announced: 8th January 2027

Awards Breakfast: Friday 26th February 2027, 9am–12pm, Hastings Centre

Ready to Enter?

If you are proud of what your business has achieved—or you know a business that deserves recognition—Let’s Do Business Group would love to hear from you.

The 1066 Business Awards celebrate success, resilience, innovation and community spirit across Hastings and Rother, and Let’s Do Business Group cannot wait to discover this year’s inspiring stories.

“Let’s Do Business Group is proud to support the many outstanding businesses we have locally, and to collaborate with Hastings and Bexhill Chambers of Commerce makes the event even more special as they do so much to promote and advocate for their business communities,” says Graham Marley, Let’s Do Business Group Chief Executive.

How to Enter

Entries open on Monday 27th July 2026 and are free to submit.

Visit https://www.letsdobusinessgroup.co.uk/1066-business-awards to find out more, submit your entry and view previous winners.