It’s time to nominate your favourite businesses – prestigious Northants Life Awards return for 2026
It is time to nominate your favourite businesses as Northants Life is delighted to announce the return of the NL Awards for 2026.
Now in its fourth year, this awards ceremony is an annual celebration of the best of Northamptonshire – recognising the businesses, individuals and venues that make the county a special place to live, work and visit.
From independent retailers and restaurants to service providers, the NL Awards shine a light on the people behind Northamptonshire’s most loved ventures.
This year sees the introduction of two brand new categories, added in response to feedback from the community. ‘Best Hotel or B&B’ and ‘Best Wellness or Spa’ join the existing 19 categories, with the full list as follows:
- Best Restaurant
- Best Takeaway
- Best Cafe or Tearooms
- Best Pub
- Best Hair Salon
- Best Beauty Salon
- Best Retailer
- Best Kids Activity
- Best Local Food or Drink Business
- Best Wellbeing or Spa
- Best B&B or Hotel
- Best Gym or Fitness Business
- Best B2B
- Best Charity or Community Project
- Best Day Out in Northamptonshire
- Best Indoor/Outdoor Activity
- Best Wedding Venue or Supplier
- Best New Business (under one year)
- Best Small Business (under 50 employees)
- Best Larger Business (over 50 employees)
- Special Recognition Award
The NL Awards are a not-for-profit event and Northants Life is proud to work alongside charity partners Cynthia Spencer and Cransley Hospices, with any funds raised on the night to be donated to Sands UK.
The top five nominees in each category will go through to the second stage, where the winner is decided by a 50/50 split between a public vote and an independent judging panel. The winners will be crowned at the NL Awards night on July 16 at Chester House.