The North Tyneside Business Awards 2025 took place on 20 November 2025 at The Village Hotel, Cobalt Park, celebrating businesses that have made a significant contribution to innovation, sustainability, community impact and economic growth across the borough.
This year, North Shields had an exceptional presence, with multiple winners across major categories — including a Heart of the Community award win for Cheryl Fitness & Nutrition Coach, and headline awards for The Chocolate Smiths, NUSA Studio and Durhamlane.
Full finalist list:
👉 https://northtynesidebusinessawards.co.uk/finalists-2025/
🏆 Major 2025 Award Winners
Business of the Year & Green Award
The Chocolate Smiths – Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate, North Shields
Website: https://www.thechocolatesmiths.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechocolatesmiths
The Chocolate Smiths — based on Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate in North Shields — achieved a double victory, securing:
- North Tyneside Business of the Year 2025
- The Green Award (Doing My Bit for Climate Change)
Known nationally for their handmade “Bizarre Bars”, The Chocolate Smiths operate from Unit G19, Tromso Close, NE29 7XH, where all chocolate is produced on-site.
New Business Award
NUSA Studio – The Exchange 1856, North Shields
Website: https://www.nusastudio.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nusastudionorth
Venue: https://www.exchange1856.com
NUSA Studio — a contemporary luxury ear piercing and makeup studio — took home the New Business Award 2025.
Located inside the historic Exchange 1856 on Howard Street, NUSA has quickly become an established creative business in the town centre.
Technology Innovation Award
Durhamlane – Headquartered in North Shields
Website: https://durhamlane.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/durhamlane
Durhamlane won the Technology Innovation Award for its digital systems and cutting-edge B2B demand generation services.
The company is headquartered in North Shields, reinforcing the town’s growing role in technology-led business development.
Retail & Service Provider Award
Winner: Kore+ (Whitley Bay)
Website: https://www.korepilates.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koreplus_
Kore+, a reformer Pilates studio in Whitley Bay, achieved the award for outstanding customer experience and service.
Heart of the Community Award – Theme Winner
Cheryl Fitness & Nutrition Coach – North Shields
Website: https://cheryltannerpt.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylfitnesscoach
ILNS Profile Feature:
https://ilovenorthshields.com/north-shields-based-trailblazer-in-the-field-of-menopause-fitness-and-nutrition-coaching/
North Shields’ own Cheryl Tanner, trading as Cheryl Fitness, was named a Heart of the Community Award campaign winner under the Collaboration theme, and subsequently a finalist for the overall 2025 Heart of the Community Award.
Cheryl is known for her specialist menopause fitness coaching, nutrition support and community wellness sessions — including strength training and coastal wellbeing activities for women in midlife.
👏 North Shields Finalists
Although not category winners, these North Shields businesses also reached the finals and were recognised for excellence:
Specsavers North Shields – Finalist, Retail & Service Provider Award
Website: https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/northshields
A core health service in the Beacon Centre, Specsavers North Shields was shortlisted for its strong service delivery and community presence.
Turnbull Funeral Directors – Finalist, Heart of the Community Award
Website: https://www.turnbullfuneraldirectors.co.uk
Established in 1790, Turnbull Funeral Directors were recognised for their longstanding commitment to supporting families and contributing to community initiatives in North Shields.
📄 Full List of 2025 Finalists (With Links)
New Business Award
- NUSA Studio – https://www.nusastudio.co.uk
- Elemental Occupational Therapy – https://www.elementalot.co.uk
- Tyneside Community Store CIC – https://tynesidecommunitystore.co.uk
Retail & Service Provider Award
- Kore+ – https://www.korepilates.co.uk
- Bestford Insurance – https://www.bestford.co.uk
- Specsavers North Shields – https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/northshields
Technology Innovation Award
- Durhamlane – https://durhamlane.com
- Cybit – https://cybit.co.uk
- The Unite Group – https://www.theunitegroup.co.uk
Green Award
- The Chocolate Smiths – https://www.thechocolatesmiths.com
- Buy the Kilo – https://www.buythekilo.com
- RLM Windows – https://www.rlmwindows.co.uk
Heart of the Business Award
- Above & Beyond Painting & Decorating – https://aboveandbeyonddecorators.co.uk
- BASH Academy – https://www.facebook.com/bashacademy
- Nicholsons Butchers – https://www.nicholsonsbutchers.com
Heart of the Community Award
- WINNER: Cheryl Fitness – https://cheryltannerpt.co.uk
- Turnbull Funeral Directors – https://www.turnbullfuneraldirectors.co.uk
- Tyneside Community Store CIC – https://tynesidecommunitystore.co.uk
What This Means for North Shields
The 2025 winners show a clear trend:
North Shields continues to be one of the borough’s strongest and most diverse business communities.
This year’s success spans:
- Health and wellbeing (Cheryl Fitness)
- Creative studios (NUSA Studio)
- Tech and innovation (Durhamlane)
- Manufacturing and sustainability (The Chocolate Smiths)
- Long-standing service providers (Specsavers, Turnbull)
The town’s mix of heritage, creativity and enterprise continues to play a leading role in shaping the borough’s future.
