On Friday, we were delighted to attend the Solihull Chamber of Commerce Awards – a brilliant evening celebrating the very best of Solihull businesses and the incredible community spirit that shines through our borough.
This year, Visit Knowle was proud to be shortlisted for not one but two awards: ‘Solihull Influencer 2025’ and ‘Unsung Hero’. While we didn’t take home a trophy on the night, simply being nominated in such inspiring categories was an achievement we are incredibly proud of.
Recognising Our VE80 Campaign
Earlier this year, our VE80 campaign invited people right into the heart of the village to remember, reflect, and celebrate together. To see this campaign recognised as part of our awards nominations is a real highlight. It underlines how impactful local initiatives can be when powered by creativity, collaboration, and a dedicated team.
Small Team, Big Difference
Being shortlisted for Unsung Hero recognises the dedication and the hard work put in by our volunteers. From the events team who not only put hours into planning events but who give up their weekends making them run smoothly, to our Board of Directors who make sure our work is impactful, our teams make Visit Knowle what it is.
These awards are a reminder that you don’t need to be the biggest organisation to make a meaningful impact. With a passionate team and the support of a strong community, small groups can achieve extraordinary things.
Celebrating Fellow Finalists
While our name wasn’t called on the night, we were thrilled to cheer on the winners in our categories:
- Eric Lyons – winner of Solihull Influencer (Friday video, anyone?)
- Birmingham Dogs Home – with their fantastic team member recognised as Unsung Hero
We’d also like to give a special shout out to:
- Vu Ai – Visit Knowle Member, taking home Solihull Breakthrough Business
- Knowle and Dorridge Memory Café, winners of Non-Profit Champion
Awards like these matter because they shine a spotlight on the people, projects, and partnerships working hard behind the scenes. They give recognition to the quieter efforts that bring a village together, encourage others to get involved, and showcase the value of local business networks.
On the awards evening, it was also a wonderful surprise to hear Scarlett Lily Allen-Horton mention the supportive community she experienced in Knowle. Her words captured exactly what makes our village so special.
Looking Ahead
We came away from the evening energised and inspired, proud to be part of such a vibrant and supportive business community. A huge thank you to the Solihull Chamber of Commerce for hosting such a fabulous event.
While we may not have added an award to our shelf this time, the recognition of our work – from the VE80 campaign to our ongoing efforts to support and showcase Knowle – is a real reward in itself. And with the passion of our small but mighty team, we know there’s so much more to come.