New award categories announced for 2026 Eastside Business Awards
The City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters has announced a refreshed format for the 2026 Eastside Business Awards, introducing new categories designed to better reflect the evolving shape of the local economy.
Now entering its ninth year, the Eastside Business Awards are delivered by the council in partnership with Solstice Media and recognise outstanding businesses across the city’s east.
Since launching in 2018, the program has celebrated a broad cross-section of operators – from cafés, retailers and hospitality venues to professional services, manufacturers and independent small businesses.
Council says the 2026 update responds to significant change in the local business landscape, with new industries emerging and established sectors continuing to grow.
Following analysis of industry data and a review of best practice across similar awards programs, several categories have been reworked to ensure the Awards remain relevant, competitive and reflective of today’s business environment.
Four new categories have been introduced.
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The Best Health & Fitness category recognises gyms, studios, wellness hubs, clinics and allied health professionals, reflecting strong growth in the sector. More than 4700 health and wellbeing businesses are currently active across the City. With more than $300million spent in the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, this business sector is well represented and deserves accolades for its success.
A redefined Best Retail category will spotlight a broad range of shops, including fashion, homewares, furniture, giftware, speciality retailers and supermarkets. Previous retail winners and finalists will be included within the expanded field.
Hospitality categories have also been reshaped, with Best Restaurant/Pub recognising evening dining experiences across fine dining, casual restaurants and pubs. Meanwhile, Best Café will focus on daytime venues, including coffee institutions, brunch destinations and neighbourhood favourites known for quality food, coffee and service.
Several existing categories will continue unchanged, including Best Arts/Entertainment Experience, Best Food/Beverage Manufacturer, Best Independent Small Business, Best Hair/Beauty Salon, Best Professional Service and the Hall of Fame.
To streamline the program, a number of older categories have been retired or merged. Best Customer Experience has been absorbed into each business’s core category, while Best Café/Restaurant has been separated into two distinct awards. Best Fashion Retailer and Best Coffee have been integrated into Best Retail and Best Café respectively, and Best Pub/Bar has been combined with Best Restaurant/Pub.
Council has confirmed that the history of the Awards will be preserved, with all previous winners, finalists and Legends continuing to be recognised under the updated category structure.
The Eastside Business Awards are positioned as both a celebration and a community endorsement, with nominations and finalist selections providing businesses with public recognition from customers and peers. Council says the refreshed format aims to create clearer pathways for recognition while encouraging broader participation across industries.
Key dates for the 2026 program have also been confirmed. Public voting opens on Monday, February 16 and closes on Sunday, March 15, with the Awards Night to be held on Wednesday, April 22.
With updated categories and a renewed focus on emerging and growing sectors, the 2026 Eastside Business Awards are set to reflect the diversity, resilience and momentum of business life across Adelaide’s east.
