FAQs

How do the Muddy Awards work?

The Muddy Awards operate in three stages:

Stage 1: Nominations (20 Feb – 14 March 2024). Nominations open in 21 lifestyle categories. You may put forward one business in your county, per category per email address.
Stage 2: Regional Finals (3 April – 18 April 2025). A maximum of 5 regional finalists per category will be announced on 3 April 2024 and public voting lasts until 1pm, 18 April 2024 with Regional Winners being announced on 2 May 2024
Stage 3: National Finals (3 July- 11 July 2024). Regional Winners will automatically go through to the National Finals and the Muddy Stilettos Editors will judge who is the Best of the Best announcing the National Winners on 11 July 2024

Can I nominate a business?

Yes, you can nominate any business in your county providing it satisfies the category criteria. This might be a business that you are a customer of, or your own business.

What is the cost?

The Muddy Stilettos Awards remain FREE from start to finish.

Can I share my personal email Nomination or Regional Finals voting link when I nominate a business so that others can use it too?

No, it’s a link that is unique to you, and cannot be shared. To nominate or vote in the Regional Finals, you must sign in with your email address and a unique link will be sent. One link and one vote protects the Awards from possible voter fraud.

Are nominations carried over from the first stage to the second voting stage of the Regional Finals?

No, we wipe the slate clean. The Regional Finals require you to choose between five specific named businesses in each category and therefore voting starts again from scratch.

When will the Regional winners be announced?

Regional Winners will be announced on 2 May 2024. No correspondence will be entered into. Winners will be privately invited to a Regional Awards party.

How do I enter the National Muddy Awards ?

Every Regional Winner in every category will be put forward for consideration in the Muddy Stilettos National Awards 2024.
Muddy Stilettos Editors will be asked to mark their candidates accurately 1-10 using the Muddy Stilettos Awards judging criteria and we will create a National final of 5 per category.
Every Editor will be invited to put forward their case in a round table as to why they believe their regional winners should win the contested categories.
The final say on each category winner will go to Hero Brown, Founder and Editor in Chief at Muddy Stilettos.
National Finalist announcement: 3 July 2024
National Winners announcement: 11 July 2024

What do I win?

Each Regional and National winner will receive:

A Muddy Stilettos Awards gold window rosette
A Muddy Stilettos Awards gold certificate
A Muddy Stilettos Awards website rosette
Awards-related publicity with direct links to businesses on Muddy Stilettos
Networking opportunity with other winning local businesses at the Awards’ drinks

Can I be nominated in more than one category?

Yes. You can be nominated in more than one category (eg café and casual dining) However, for more than one location (i.e if you have a store/venue in two or more towns) we suggest picking just one to focus on as votes across separate locations and categories won't be combined at the final count.

Can we enter a local business that’s part of a national franchise?

Yes.

Can we enter the same business for more than one county (eg two cafes operating in different counties)?

Yes.

Can I nominate my own business?

Yes, you or a member of staff can nominate your business and can download the nomination assets.

I haven’t had an email from Muddy Stilettos yet to say I’ve been nominated, but a client has told me that they have put me forward? What should I do?

Send an email to awards@muddystilettos.co.uk and we will confirm that you have been nominated. Please give your business name, county and category so we can easily find you.