Choose your favourite Sunderland business and put yourself in with a chance of a £1,000 win
‘We’re ready to celebrate our local businesses on a national stage’
Sunderland residents can win a share of £2,000 in a campaign aimed at helping businesses in the city to flourish.
People can nominate a local company of their choice in the UK’s Favourite Local Business competition.
Shops, restaurants, salons, hotels, attractions and services are all eligible and the firm which receives the most nominations will win a £1,000 Town & City Gift Card, such as the Sunderland Gift Card.
On top of that, one person who nominated the winner also receive a £1,000 Town & City Gift Card.
The campaign is led by Sunderland’s BIDs and the Sunderland Gift Card is an initiative to encourage local shopping in the city, with over £500,000 in cards sold to date.
More than 200 businesses in the city are part of the card, including big brands like Boots, Next, Primark, H&M and Greggs alongside independent businesses like Asiana, Sheepfolds Stables businesses including Ember, Vito’s, I Scream For Pizza, Deep North and Back of the Pit, plus attractions, hotels, salons and services.
The launch of Favourite Local Business 2026 coincides with new research from Town & City Gift Cards revealing that 99% of respondents are keen to support local businesses, with 73% saying it has become more important over the past 12 months.
Roberta Redecke, Head of Business Services at Sunderland’s BIDs said: “When it comes to the diversity and quality of our local businesses, Sunderland just keeps on getting better and better. We’re ready to celebrate our local businesses on a national stage with the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026.
“Simply nominate a Sunderland business you think deserves to be recognised. It could be for their service, what they bring to the city, or their unique products – it takes moments to nominate and there’s a fantastic prize on offer.”
Enter the UK’s Favourite Local Business competition free at: www.lovelocalwin.co.uk and watch the video.
The Sunderland Gift Card is available to buy for consumers and organisations.
The competition closes on the 30th November 2026.