The Countdown to Ilford’s 100th Has Begun

May 23, 2025

As Ilford edges closer to its 100th year as a recognised urban centre, a milestone moment is
slowly coming into view. We’re not quite at the finish line yet, but the countdown has officially
begun – and with it comes an exciting opportunity to champion the people and businesses that
help define this town and its growing borough.

This week marks the launch of the Ilford & Redbridge Business Awards 2025 – the newly expanded
version of what has, in recent years, become a firm fixture in the local calendar. Organised by
Ilford BID, the awards will once again celebrate the best of our borough’s businesses – big and
small, traditional and innovative, well-known and up-and-coming.

But this year, there’s a new challenge: can we register 100 local businesses to match 100 years of Ilford? As symbolic as it is ambitious, this target forms part of a wider vision to celebrate the run-
up to Ilford’s centenary in 2026. From shopfronts on the High Road to cafés in South Woodford, from hairdressers in Barkingside to digital start-ups in Gants Hill – the awards are a call to all
corners of Redbridge.

What’s more, participation isn’t just about prestige. Registered businesses will benefit from six
months of free publicity, featuring across platforms like the Ilford Recorder, Redbridge Life,
Wanstead Directory and South Woodford Gazette. There will also be digital screen coverage,
billboard features, YouTube campaigns, and ongoing social media promotions via inIlford and
Ilford BID channels. In a cost-of-living climate where many businesses are tightening marketing
budgets, this kind of visibility can offer a genuine boost.

This year’s awards also introduce two new categories, dedicated to health, wellbeing, and safety
– timely additions that recognise how vital these values are to the local community and business
landscape.

Ilford BID Manager Cyril Bekoe said:
“The Ilford & Redbridge Business Awards are more than a celebration – they’re a platform for
businesses to grow, connect, and gain the recognition they deserve. As we begin the countdown
to Ilford’s centenary, we want to shine a spotlight on the incredible contributions businesses
make to the identity and resilience of our town.”

And let’s not forget the power of recognition. Previous winners have gone on to grow their
customer base, secure partnerships, and feel a deeper sense of connection with the local
community. That kind of spotlight can have a lasting impact.

It’s not just businesses being invited to take part. Sponsorship opportunities are now open, offering regional organisations a chance to align their brand with one of the borough’s most high-
profile events. Sponsors receive six months of exposure and VIP access to a ceremony attended by dignitaries, leaders, and local champions.

So, if you’re a business owner in Ilford or anywhere across Redbridge, consider this your
invitation. And if you’re a proud resident, keep your eyes peeled when nomination opens. The
countdown to 100 years of Ilford has started – and it begins by celebrating the businesses shaping its future. Register now at https://inilford.com/competitions/ilford-redbridge-business-awards-
2025-registration-open Deadline: July 31st, 2025.