The winners of the inaugural 2019 SO Star Awards were announced at a glitzy gala awards’ ceremony held at the Southampton Harbour Hotel and Spa.

The celebration of tourism, business and retail, the new SO Star Awards, with title sponsor GO! Southampton, the Business Improvement District (BID) drew entrants from across the Southampton area.

The award categories included education, dining experience, hotels, shopping experience, new business, innovation, leading star, event, community, night time, here 2 there, environment and included two public votes for rising star and mix master.

Annaliese Hughes, vice chair of GO! Southampton, said: “The SO Awards attracted sponsors, partners and entries who all understand the hard work and dedication needed to maintain and develop Southampton as an exciting destination.

"Many are well-known in the local community; people with great connections who interact and trade with other like-minded businesses.”

Nominations are now open for SO Star Awards 2020.

The 2019 SO Star Awards Winners are:

Here 2 There (Sponsored by GO! Southampton)

GOLD Steamship Sheildhall

SILVER Southampton Airport

BRONZE Southampton Ghost Tours / Supernatural Tours and Events Ltd

BRONZE Bluestar

BRONZE Mayflower Heritage Guides

Hotel (Sponsored by ELIS)

GOLD – Boutique Hotel Spot In The Woods

GOLD – Large Hotel Best Western Chilworth Manor

SILVER – Large Hotel Southampton Harbour Hotel and Spa

BRONZE – Large Hotel Hilton at the Ageas Bowl

Future Proofing & Innovation (Sponsored by Meridian Lifts)

GOLD Aspire Business Clubs

SILVER Limitless Float

BRONZE Shop Creative (The Graduate Collective Ltd)

BRONZE Room2 Southampton

Event / Pop Up (Sponsored by A-One Insurance Group)

GOLD The Pink Ball - The London Hotel

SILVER Southampton Boat Show

SILVER Shop Creative (The Graduate Collective Ltd)

BRONZE Southampton Ghost Tours / Supernatural Tours and Events Ltd

Shopping Experience (Sponsored by GO! Southampton)

GOLD David Mellor Family Jewellers

SILVER W J French & Son

BRONZE Ange's Brow and Beauty Studio

Top of the Class, Education (Sponsored by DA Training & Consulting)

GOLD The Daisy Chain Group

SILVER See Southampton

BRONZE Solent Creatives

Rising Star (Public Vote) (Sponsored by A-One Insurance Group)

GOLD Lewis Folland - Steamship Sheildhall

SILVER Maddy Alexander-Grout - My VIP Card

BRONZE Michelle Thomas - Room2 Southampton

Environment / Green Initiative (Sponsored by GO! Southampton)

GOLD Bluestar

SILVER Yomp and Chomp

Community (Sponsored by DA Training & Consulting)

GOLD The London Hotel

SILVER See Southampton

BRONZE Southampton Tourist Guides

New Business (Ange's Brow & Beauty)

GOLD Limitless Float

SILVER Olive Southampton

SILVER Room2 Southampton

BRONZE My VIP Card

Dining Experience (Sponsored by ELIS)

GOLD Grand Café

SILVER Spot in the woods

SILVER The Jetty, Ocean Village

BRONZE Piecaramba!

Night Time Economy (Sponsored by GO! Southampton)

GOLD Orange Rooms

SILVER The London Hotel

Mix Master (Public Vote) (Sponsored by Meridian Lifts)

GOLD Dan Hanson - Orange Rooms

SILVER Damaine Hinds - Banana Wharf

BRONZE Adam Clarke - Dolphin Hotel

Leading Star (Sponsored by DA Training & Consulting)

GOLD Welcome Desk Team - See Southampton

SILVER Shirley Pinn - Destination Southampton

BRONZE Nathan Chart - Chilworth Manor