
Virtual Society Awards
As a lifestyle brand, Society celebrates all that is great about Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and comes in the form of print, online and mobile.
Published every Thursday with the Evening Express – the biggest selling evening newspaper in Scotland – Society is packed full of features to pore over. And there’s even more online with the latest lifestyle news and video.
The Society Awards aim to embrace the success of the north-east on an even bigger scale, rewarding Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire’s hard-working businesses.
While the region has battled through troubled times, we’ve seen many firms adapt, adopt change and some completely overhaul their business models.
Congratulation to all of our winners and thank you for watching our Virtual Society Awards.
If you missed it you can still view the ceremony here
For more information please contact lesley.taylor@ajl.co.uk or call 07500773997
For sponsorship opportunities please contact carole.bruce@ajl.co.uk or call 07799545753
Key Dates
7 Sep 2020 | Entries Close |
8 Oct 2020 | Finalists Announced |
26 Nov 2020 | Virtual Awards Night |
Winners
-
1
- Winner Amity Fish Company
- Smoke & Soul
- The Pigs Wings
- Vegan Bay Baker
1
Food Business of the Year
From producing their own products to serving up dishes using some of the best local produce, this award is for any business that satisfies the appetite of hungry north-east customers. From small businesses or larger firms with products stocked in stores, to restaurants who have adapted their business models to continue trading throughout difficult times. The winner of this category will be passionate about what they do, and will have established an exciting brand with loyal customers. Not only will they champion what they do, but they will be adaptable to market trends too.
Shortlist
- Winner Amity Fish Company
- Smoke & Soul
- The Pigs Wings
- Vegan Bay Baker
-
2
- Boozy Events, Cheers to Charlie House
- Clan Farquharson, Virtual Clan Gathering
- Winner Design & Code, Gray's School of Art 2020 Virtual Degree Show
2
Virtual Event of the Year
Despite living in unprecedented times this event will still have successfully brought people together in a virtual setting. Giving its attendees a fantastic experience from the comfort of their own homes, the winner of this award could be an organisation, business or a collaborative effort. This award is also open to those who have adapted in the current climate to run masterclasses, keeping customers engaged and entertained. The judges will be looking for details around the event, planning, effective promotion and overall quality of the virtual experience.
Shortlist
- Boozy Events
- Clan Farquharson
- Winner Design & Code
-
3
Sponsored By:
- AberNecessities
- Winner Design and Code, In collab with Gray's School of Art
- Platter
Sponsored By:
3
Best Collaboration of the Year
Collaboration is key, especially in difficult times. This category is open to everyone from single or several businesses to individuals. The judges are looking for a winner who works with other local business and collaborates to support and enhance the north-east’s offering. While competition can be healthy, the winner of this category will have a bigger vision for the region and will recognise opportunities, which could benefit one or more businesses.
Shortlist
- AberNecessities
- Winner Design and Code
- Platter
-
4
Sponsored By:
- Glow Hair & Dazzle
- Winner Harris & Fox
- Oh So Gel
Sponsored By:
4
Hair/Beauty Business of the Year
A hairdresser is like a good friend – they listen to our problems, offer us advice and generally make us feel good about ourselves. This award recognises not only those who can provide a sleek cut or brighten up tired tresses, but those have continued to engage with customers despite hard times.
This category is also open to beauticians, nail artists, MUAs and salons that provide any kind of beauty treatments. With a regular base of clientele, the winner of this award will have their customers desperate to post a selfie showing off their new nails, on point brows, fluttering lash extensions or must-have make up look. They will give customers the feel good factor time and time again – even striving to do so throughout the pandemic with a series of tutorials and innovative DIY beauty kits.
Shortlist
- Glow Hair & Dazzle
- Winner Harris & Fox
- Oh So Gel
-
5
Sponsored By:
- Movement Evolution
- Sport Aberdeen
- Winner Temple Clinic
Sponsored By:
5
Fitness/Health & Wellbeing Award of the Year
This category is open to any individual or business which has made conscious effort to take care of the north-east both physically and mentally, too. The winner of this category will have a strong focus on marketing, customer service, retention and innovation. From leisure facilities, to spas or personal trainers, the winner must be passionate – they may even be Aberdeen’s very own Joe Wicks or Kayla Itsines with a catalogue of regular online fitness videos.
Shortlist
- Movement Evolution
- Sport Aberdeen
- Winner Temple Clinic
-
6
Sponsored By:
- Winner Boozy Events
- House of Botanicals
- The Wandering Bartender
Sponsored By:
6
Drinks Business of the Year
Exceling in their field of expertise, this award is for a local business which is successfully selling within the region – possibly even expanding further afield. From home brewers to established distillers, or pubs and bars who have successfully remodelled to offer a delivery service, the winner of this category will boast a stand-out brand. Whether the firm sells one staple product or a range or drinks bursting with flavour, the winning drinks business will know what’s hot and what’s not, and be aware of who their target market are.
Shortlist
- Winner Boozy Events
- House of Botanicals
- The Wandering Bartender
-
7
Sponsored By:
- 8848
- Cafe Ahoy
- Winner Eat on the Green
Sponsored By:
7
Restaurant/ Cafe of the Year
Shortlist
- 8848
- Cafe Ahoy
- Winner Eat on the Green
-
8
Sponsored By:
- Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
- Amity Fish Company
- Winner Smoke & Soul
Sponsored By:
8
Best Social Media Presence of the Year
This award is open to any company or individual who is able to demonstrate an innovative and effective use of social media, which has been used as a key tool to developing their business. From using Instagram stories, to daily Facebook posts or tweets, to strong use of video, the winner of this award will have a strong targeted following who engage regularly online. Screenshots must be supplied to showcase this.
Shortlist
- Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
- Amity Fish Company
- Winner Smoke & Soul
-
9
Sponsored By:
- Winner Stuart McPhee, Siberia Bar & Hotel
Sponsored By:
9
Outstanding Contribution Award
The Society Outstanding Contribution Award will be awarded at the discretion of the judging panel. The award reflects on the extraordinary contribution by an individual or business to the local community. The winner must inspire others, build relationships and have a clear vision.
Shortlist
- Winner Stuart McPhee
2020 Event Partners
Aberdeen Inspired is the multi-award winning Business Improvement District for Aberdeen City Centre and represents over 900 businesses. Our aims are wide ranging and designed to reinvigorate the city centre for the benefit of all who work, live, shop and visit. Our focus is to ensure a significant return for our levy payer’s investment and to represent our local businesses with a single voice to realise the city’s potential and encourage positive change.
We aim to revitalise and re-stimulate Aberdeen city centre for a long-term sustainable future, to recapture its status and competitive edge in order to influence footfall, tourism, business and spend. Aberdeen Inspired is also an integral partner in driving the city centre master plan forward.
Some of our previous projects include delivering the third edition of the global award winning street art festival, Nuart Aberdeen, the Aberdeen International Comedy Festival, the Christmas Village, Aberdeen Restaurant Week, Inspired Nights on the Green and Alive After Five, which had done much to enhance our great city’s reputation for great events and festivals.
Of course much of this is currently on ‘hold’, but we have quickly realigned our priorities to maximise support for our businesses on the ground, at a time when it is most needed, and continue to play a leading role in the wider partner city centre business recovery plan.
Visit Aberdeen Inspired website

Aberdeen Inspired is the multi-award winning Business Improvement District for Aberdeen City Centre and represents over 900 businesses. Our aims are wide ranging and designed to reinvigorate the city centre for the benefit of all who work, live, shop and visit. Our focus is to ensure a significant return for our levy payer’s investment and to represent our local businesses with a single voice to realise the city’s potential and encourage positive change.
We aim to revitalise and re-stimulate Aberdeen city centre for a long-term sustainable future, to recapture its status and competitive edge in order to influence footfall, tourism, business and spend. Aberdeen Inspired is also an integral partner in driving the city centre master plan forward.
Some of our previous projects include delivering the third edition of the global award winning street art festival, Nuart Aberdeen, the Aberdeen International Comedy Festival, the Christmas Village, Aberdeen Restaurant Week, Inspired Nights on the Green and Alive After Five, which had done much to enhance our great city’s reputation for great events and festivals.
Of course much of this is currently on ‘hold’, but we have quickly realigned our priorities to maximise support for our businesses on the ground, at a time when it is most needed, and continue to play a leading role in the wider partner city centre business recovery plan.
Visit Aberdeen Inspired websiteEvent Sponsors

City of Aberdeen Distillery is owned and run by two friends, Dan and Alan. The distillery opened its
doors in December 2019, proudly reviving Aberdeen’s lost distilling heritage. The last distillery
(Strathdee Distillery) closed its doors way back in 1941 – a pause of almost 80 years.
Situated in the heart of the city, within a historic railway arch, visitors can discover the operational
distillery, the Aberdeen Gin School and a retail environment offering samples and the ability for
visitors to take home a bottle, filled directly from a selection of gin-filled French glass demi-johns.
The distillery produces a range of small batch, full-flavoured, limited edition, Scottish Gins with all
distilling taking place right here in the heart of the city.
The distillery have recently been announced as finalists in the Scottish Gin Awards for five of their
Aberdeen distilled gins and have been also been shortlisted in two business categories.
Judges
-
Julia Bryce
Associate Editor Society Magazine
Visit Website -
Adrian Watson
Chief Executive Aberdeen Inspired
Visit Website -
Roz Taylor
Operations Manager Elevator
Visit Website -
Elizabeth Mathie
Project Manager Opportunity North East
Visit Website -
Lesley Ingram
Head Of Faculty for Hair, Beauty and Sport NESCol
Visit Website