Club Hub Awards 2026 Finalists Announced

Huge congratulations to all the Club Hub Awards 2026 finalists.

The Club Hub Awards celebrate excellence across the UK children’s activity industry, recognising outstanding businesses that provide classes, clubs, activities, attractions and services for children and families.

This year the awards received an incredible 462 applications from 179 businesses across 16 categories, making the 2026 Club Hub Awards the most competitive yet. The applications represented a diverse range of children’s activity providers from across the UK, showcasing the innovation, dedication and passion within this thriving sector.

Due to several categories receiving tied judging scores, some categories have six finalists instead of five, demonstrating just how close the competition was this year.

The Club Hub Awards are the only national awards for children’s activity providers judged entirely through application, with no public voting. Entries are independently reviewed by industry experts and finalists are selected based on their commitment to excellence, innovation, growth and impact within the children’s activities sector.

The Club Hub Event 2026

The winners will be announced at the Club Hub Event on Saturday 9 May 2026 in Birmingham.

The Club Hub Event is a full-day experience bringing together children’s activity providers, business owners and industry experts for a day of learning, inspiration and celebration.

Attendees can enjoy:

• inspiring keynote speakers
• expert business workshops
• networking opportunities
• the Club Hub Awards ceremony
• a drinks reception celebrating the finalists and winners.

Find out more about the event and tickets here: https://clubhubuk.co.uk/club-hub-event-2026/

Thank You to Our Judges

A huge thank you to all our judges who dedicated their time to reviewing applications from businesses across the UK.

Their expertise and commitment help ensure the Club Hub Awards remain a trusted recognition of excellence within the children’s activities industry.

A Message from Tessa Day

Tessa Day, Founder and Director of Club Hub UK said:

“Huge congratulations to all our 2026 finalists. The children’s activities sector is full of passionate and inspiring business owners and it is fantastic to be able to celebrate their achievements. I’m really looking forward to bringing everyone together at the Club Hub Event in May.”

Club Hub Awards 2026 Finalists

Attraction or Venue of the Year

Sponsored by Your Video Team Ltd

Your Video Team empowers businesses with exceptional video content that captivates audiences and helps brands tell their story through powerful visual communication.

For a business in the children’s activities industry who has their own venue. This can include baby class leaders and gymnastics teachers who have their own premises, but also attractions, zoos and farms.

• Dipti & Mitesh Pindoria — Inflata London Ltd t/a Inflata Nation Colindale
• Frankie Owens & Ruth Owens — The Hidden Castle
• Jo Haydon — 4 Community Trust
• Paul Sheppard — Plantasia Tropical Zoo
• Polly Rorison-Jones — Gymboree Play & Music Bristol
• Tom Kitcher — Southampton City Farm

Biggest Growth of the Year

Sponsored by Book That In

Designed with children’s activity providers in mind, Book That In is an online booking system that provides powerful booking functionality at small business prices.

For a business that has significantly increased bookings or shown huge growth in the past year.

• Ashley Payne & Paul Allington — The Code Zone
• Hannah Donkin — Music Squad
• Katie Hainbach — Little Voices North London
• Rachael Hurton — Synergy Dance
• STEM CLUB — STEM CLUB

Community Business of the Year

Sponsored by Little Legs

Little Legs provides services supporting families from pregnancy through early childhood.

This award recognises businesses supporting their local community through events, fundraising or partnerships with schools and organisations.

• Hannah Nisbet – Calm Cats
• Fixation Academy of Performing Arts — Fixation Academy of Performing Arts Ltd
• Jo Haydon — 4 Community Trust
• Julie Bevan — Dot Kids Art Inspiration
• Rachael Hurton — Synergy Dance

Entrepreneur of the Year

Sponsored by Jigsaw Performing Arts

Jigsaw Performing Arts delivers high-quality singing, dance and drama classes across the UK, helping children build confidence, creativity and life skills.

For a person who has worked in the children’s activities industry for more than 3 years and shown exceptional entrepreneurial spirit.

• Dipti & Mitesh Pindoria — Inflata London Ltd t/a Inflata Nation Colindale
• Gemma Anyon — Inspired Empowerment CIC
• Lucy Hill-Brown — Junior Einsteins Birmingham
• Tots United® — Tots United®
• Tracy Margo — Baby Swimmers

Family Business of the Year

Sponsored by Teddy Mountain

Teddy Mountain is the world’s leading make-a-bear supplier, helping activity providers create fun, interactive bear-building experiences for children.

For a business with two or more members of the same family running it.

• Becky Hoare — Pop Up Play Village
• Chloe & Keith Williams — Little Wickets
• Frankie Owens & Ruth Owens — The Hidden Castle
• Frankie Owens & Ruth Owens — The Hidden Village
• Leonie Briggs — Amazelab
• Tessa Hawes — MiniMe Mindfulness

Franchise of the Year (Up to 15 Franchisees)

Sponsored by Trustist

Trustist helps businesses collect and showcase their reviews in one easy place, helping customers quickly see which companies they can trust.

For a franchise with up to 15 franchisees that demonstrates a strong business model in the children’s activities sector.

• Alex Burnside — Counting Kids
• Annette Peterson — Number Train Limited
• Emma Gardener & Lorna Eccleston — Story Rangers Ltd
• Hannah Donkin — Music Squad
• Holly Clarkson & Adrian Woolner — Big Mouth Theatre
• Tots United®

Franchise of the Year (More Than 15 Franchisees)

Sponsored by SuperCamps

SuperCamps delivers exciting holiday activity camps for children across the UK, helping young people stay active, build confidence and have fun during the school holidays.

For a franchise with more than 15 franchisees demonstrating excellence across their network.

• Anna Neville — Kidslingo
• Becky Hoare — Pop Up Play Village
• Claire Munday — Tappy Toes
• Faye Smith — Nature Makers Ltd
• Rose Gibson — BabyBeats

Franchisee of the Year

Sponsored by Pink Lily Accounting

Pink Lily Accounting specialises in supporting children’s activity providers and franchise businesses with friendly, expert accounting and bookkeeping services.

For a franchisee who has built a successful business within their franchise network.

• Ashling Podmore — Kumon St Helens
• Emily Little — Jigsaw Performing Arts Balham and Streatham
• Isabel Reverter-Dominguez — Kidslingo Northampton
• Jo Williamson — Story Rangers Stourbridge and Dudley
• Michelle Webb — TinyTalk Bracknell & Wokingham

Inclusive Business of the Year (New for 2026)

Sponsored by Blackwells.Biz

Blackwells.Biz champions inclusion through initiatives like DanceSyndrome, founded by Jen and Sue Blackwell, which empowers people of all abilities to dream big and live happy, healthy and purposeful lives.

This award recognises businesses creating inclusive environments for children and families.

Julie Bevan — Dot Kids Art Inspiration
Katie Hainbach — Little Voices North London
Mrs Sarah Barker — Sarah Barker Art Studios CIC
Rachael Hurton — Synergy Dance
Rose Gibson — BabyBeats
Ruth Saunderson — Happy Harmonies

Independent Business of the Year

Sponsored by The Class Business Academy

Kristine Monaghan is the founder of The Class Business Awards and The Class Business Academy, supporting class-based business owners across the UK to grow profitable, sustainable businesses while celebrating excellence in the class industry.

For independent businesses in the children’s activities industry.

Aisha Walters — Benchmark Gymnastics
Aisha Walters — Camp Fantastic
Frankie Owens & Ruth Owens — The Hidden Castle
Leonie Briggs — Amazelab
Reece Elbourn — Lets Leap Sports Academy Ltd

Leader of the Year

Sponsored by ThinkSmart Software

ThinkSmart Software provides powerful booking and management systems used by thousands of activity providers to manage classes, bookings and payments all in one place.

For a person managing a team in the children’s activities industry.

• Anna Neville — Kidslingo
• Claire Munday — Tappy Toes
• Hannah Cavalier — Boogie Beat Music and Movement
• Helen Simmons — Caterpillar Music Limited
• Julie Bevan — Dot Kids Art Inspiration

Non-Profit Business of the Year

Sponsored by Toddle About

Toddle About connects parents with baby and toddler activities through their website, magazines and community events across the UK.

For a charity, social enterprise or non-profit organisation supporting children’s activities.

• 4 All Foundation — 4 All Foundation
• Elle Wilks — Fearless Girls Club CIC
• Jo Haydon — 4 Community Trust
• Kim Edwards-Waight & Lucy Bosher — YEM Theatre School & YEM Theatre Productions CIC
• Rachael Hurton — Synergy Dance

Solo Star of the Year

Sponsored by STEAM Educators’ Staff Room

The STEAM Educators’ Staff Room is a multi-award-winning online community supporting educators and small business owners across science, technology, engineering, arts and maths to connect, collaborate and grow.

For someone running their children’s activity business completely by themselves.

• Chris Ryu — Unity Martial Arts
• Emma Drummond — EM-MAgination Craft
• Joanna Craig — Magical Crafting Club
• Megan Garrett — Our Little Village
• Nickie Porter Beckett — Allsorts Tots
• Wesley Driskel — Not Just Sport

Start-Up of the Year

Sponsored by Daisy First Aid

Daisy First Aid provides practical, family-friendly paediatric first aid training, helping parents and children’s activity providers feel confident to handle emergencies.

For a business in the children’s activities industry less than 3 years old.

• Danielle Maynard — Serenity For Girls CIC
• Elle Wilks — Fearless Girls Club CIC
• Jo Williamson — Story Rangers Stourbridge and Dudley
• Sarah Barker — Sarah Barker Art Studios CIC
• Sammi Panesar-Vale — Little Voices Nottingham and Loughborough
• STEM CLUB — STEM CLUB

Supplier of the Year

Sponsored by LoveAdmin

LoveAdmin is a booking and management platform built specifically for children’s activity providers, combining technology and real-world support to simplify admin and free up time.

For a business providing support or services to children’s activity providers.

Carrie Ann Booth — STEAM Educators’ Staff Room
Sarah Gittins — The Den Company
Tamara Holland — Dot & Stripe
Tim Freed — Book That In
Tim Freed — Toddle About

Lifetime Achievement Award

Sponsored by Morton Michel Insurance

Morton Michel has supported the children’s activities sector for over 50 years, providing specialist insurance and support designed specifically for activity providers.

For a person who has worked in the children’s activities industry for more than 10 years and made a significant impact.

• Aisha Walters — Benchmark Gymnastics
• Almudena Vieitez — Bilingual Beats Ltd
• Claire Munday — Tappy Toes
• Debbie Anne Turnbull MBE — River And Sea Sense Ltd
• Lizz Mullen — Little Fizz

Congratulations again to all our Club Hub Awards 2026 finalists.

We look forward to celebrating your achievements at the Club Hub Event in May.