On Thursday 21st May, James and Richard Whittle travelled to London to attend The Small Awards 2026 as finalists in the Legacy Award category.
While we didn’t come home with the trophy, we couldn’t be prouder to have been shortlisted alongside some truly exceptional family businesses from across the UK.
A huge congratulations goes to Hoe Grange Holidays, worthy winners of the Legacy Award. Their story, commitment and achievements were genuinely inspiring, and they were a fantastic choice for this year’s winner.
The evening itself was unforgettable. The food was excellent, the entertainment from the London Gay Men’s Chorus was outstanding, and the company at our table made the night even more enjoyable. We were delighted to spend the evening with Lee Wakeham from HM Pasties, Abbey Booth from Stories With Clothes, and Jess and Mike from Edis Media.
It was particularly exciting to be seated with Lee from HM Pasties, who went on to win both the Heart of Gold Award and the overall Small Business of the Year Award. Sharing a table with such a deserving winner made us feel like part of the celebrations and reminded us just how many remarkable small businesses there are across the country.
The evening was a powerful reminder of the contribution small businesses make to their communities, local economies and the people they serve every day.
We would like to thank Small Business Britain and The Small Awards team for organising such a fantastic event and for recognising the work of family businesses across the UK.
Most importantly, thank you to the families who place their trust in us and to our community in Brighton & Hove. Being shortlisted on a national stage was an honour in itself, and one that we were proud to share with our team, our family and everyone who has supported Bungard Funeral Directors over the years.