February 3, 2026

The very best in East Belfast was celebrated in style as The 2025 Eastside Awards in association with Belfast City Airport marked its tenth anniversary, honouring the people, organisations and businesses whose commitment, kindness and innovation continue to shape the east of the city.

Showcasing excellence across arts, business, culture, health, tourism, wellbeing and community life, with two winners recognised in more than one category, each year the Eastside Awards recognises the powerful depth of talent and dedication within East Belfast.

Among the evening’s standout successes was John Minnis Estate Agents, which achieved an incredible treble, taking home awards for Favourite Estate Agent, Business Growth, and Best Place to Work.

Templemore Baths also enjoyed a double celebration, winning Heritage & History, while Gregor Galway was named Tourism Hero, underlining the transformational impact Templemore Baths has had on Belfast’s cultural and tourism landscape.

Encom Energy was similarly recognised across generations, winning Sustainable Business of the Year while also celebrating Anna Patterson as Young Person of the Year.

The most emotional moment of the evening came with the presentation of the Outstanding Contribution Award sponsored by East Belfast Enterprise. Presented to Dot Blackburn, a Cregagh Estate woman whose lifelong and often unseen acts of generosity have transformed countless lives across Belfast. A devoted community champion for over four decades, Dot’s ‘TeamDot’ voluntary work has supported families facing serious illness and crisis with charity fundraising events, donations of food, toys, household items and clothes, and provides unwavering compassion to those who need it most. Her story is one of quiet resilience, boundless kindness and a legacy built not on recognition, but on love.

Jonathan McAlpin, Chair of the Eastside Awards Committee, said: “Reaching our tenth year is an incredibly proud moment for the Eastside Awards. Standing in Titanic Belfast and welcoming over 450 people to celebrate the best of East Belfast is what has made 10 years of the Eastside Awards so special. They are rooted in community, our community.

“The winners are chosen by the people whose lives they touch every day. From business leaders and educators to volunteers and quiet community heroes like Dot Blackburn, this year’s winners remind us that East Belfast’s greatest strength has always been and continues to be, its people.”

Michelle Hatfield, Chief People and Marketing Officer at Belfast City Airport, said: “Being part of the Eastside Awards since its inception is a real honour for Belfast City Airport, particularly as we mark its 10th anniversary.

“East Belfast is not only where Belfast City Airport is based; it is a community we are proud to be at the heart of, and the passion and kindness recognised this evening truly reflect the spirit of the area.

“Our congratulations go to all the winners and finalists, whose dedication is inspiring. We look forward to continuing to work together to support and strengthen our community for years to come.”

Looking to the future, the Eastside Awards also announced the launch of a new Eastside Bursary, set to open in spring 2026, designed to support the next generation of local talent.

Jonathan McAlpin added: “As we look beyond our tenth anniversary, it gives me great pleasure to announce that we will be launching a bursary which will provide practical financial assistance and mentoring opportunities for young people seeking to develop skills, training or education pathways, ensuring the legacy of the awards extends well beyond the stage.”

In the spirit of the Eastside Awards, each finalist received two complimentary tickets to the awards ceremony and an invitation to the Finalists VIP Drinks Reception, which was sponsored by Catalyst.

Presented by broadcaster Tara Mills, guests were treated to entertainment sponsored by Ballyhackamore Credit Union which included a performance by Grosvenor Grammar School String Quartet; Piper Mark Smith; 24^th Belfast Company, The Boys Brigade; Rock Choir and String Ninjas.

A highlights video of the awards ceremony and photographs from the event can be viewed at www.eastsideawards.org and on Eastside Awards socials – facebook, instagram, linkedin and X.

Congratulations to Eastside Awards in association with Belfast City Airport winners:

• Eastside Award for Best Place to Work sponsored by Fleet Financial: John Minnis Estate Agents
• Eastside Award for Business Growth sponsored by We’resure Insurance Services: John Minnis Estate Agents
• Eastside Award for Business Startup sponsored by Belfast City Council: Yellow Zest
• Eastside Award for Community Impact sponsored by Belfast Harbour: Engage with Age
• Eastside Award for Contribution to Arts & Culture sponsored by EastSide Partnership: Harmonic Sounds Concert Band
• Eastside Award for Excellence in Health and Wellbeing sponsored by Phoenix Energy: Titanic Gentlemen’s Club
• Eastside Award for Favourite Beauty Business in East Belfast sponsored by Argento: Hands On Beauty
• Eastside Award for Favourite Estate Agent sponsored by Navigate: John Minnis, John Minnis Estate Agents
• Eastside Award for Favourite Food Destination in East Belfast sponsored by Clarke & Co Accountants: SixtyNine Burgers & Filth
• Eastside Award for Favourite Hairdresser/Barber in East Belfast sponsored by Solv: Urbanroots
• Eastside Award for Favourite Post-Primary Principal sponsored by The Open University: Nicola Connery, Strathearn School
• Eastside Award for Favourite Primary Principal sponsored by Open College Network: Victoria Hutchinson, Strandtown Primary School
• Eastside Award for Favourite Tourism Hero sponsored by Reid Black: Gregor Galway, Templemore Baths
• Eastside Award for Favourite Translink Driver sponsored by Translink: Maurice Roulston
• Eastside Award for Heritage & History sponsored by Maritime Belfast Trust: Templemore Baths
• Eastside Award for Local Sporting Hero sponsored by Better: Darren Baine, DB Fitness
• Eastside Award for Sustainable Business of the Year sponsored by Action Renewables: Encom Energy
• Eastside Award for Trainee / Apprentice of the Year sponsored by Plumb Centre: Matthew McLaughlin, Thales Belfast
• Eastside Award for Volunteer of the Year sponsored by East Belfast Mission: Hospice Heroes
• Eastside Award for Young Person of the Year sponsored by Belfast City Airport: Anna Patterson, Encom Energy
• Eastside Award for Outstanding Contribution sponsored by East Belfast Enterprise: Dot Blackburn

 

Ends

All media enquiries:

Nicola Bothwell, Tel:  07590 606727,  email: [email protected]