Entries are now officially open for The Blend Awards 2026, giving independent garages and their teams across the UK and Ireland the opportunity to be recognised on a national stage for their innovation, resilience, and commitment to excellence.
Winners will be announced during the evening awards ceremony on Saturday, 10 October 2026, at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, hosted by behavioural science and marketing expert Rory Sutherland.
Taking place as part of The Blend 2026, now firmly established as a key date in the diary for independent garage owners, the awards celebrate businesses and individuals who go beyond day-to-day operations to raise standards, strengthen their teams, and deliver consistently high levels of service.
From operational improvements to customer experience innovation, the awards aim to recognise real-world impact across workshops of every size.
The flagship Garage of the Year Award expands into three distinct awards, covering multi-location garages, garages with five or more staff, and garages with one to four staff. Judges will be looking for entries that demonstrate exceptional leadership, invest in their people, deliver consistently high levels of customer service, or make a meaningful contribution to their local community.
Also open for entries is the Staff Recognition Award, which shines a light on the individuals who form the backbone of independent garages. The category celebrates team members who have shown resilience, developed their skills, and made a clear and measurable impact on both performance and workplace culture.
“The independent garage sector is full of brilliant, hardworking people who don’t always take the time to recognise what they’ve achieved,” said Ray Dilsons, Director at The Blend. “The awards are about shining a light on the businesses and individuals genuinely moving the industry forward. As the original business-focused community in this space, The Blend has always been about bringing people together to share what works. This is their opportunity to step forward, join that community spotlight, and be recognised on a national stage.”
All entries will be reviewed by an independent panel of garage industry experts comprising returning judges Hayley Pells of the Institute of the Motor Industry and industry journalist Mike Ruff, alongside Mark Field, Chief Executive of the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation, who joins the panel for the first time this year.
As judging is based solely on the information provided in each application, entrants are encouraged to include clear detail, measurable outcomes where possible, and practical examples of their achievements.
The deadline for entries is 23:59 on Tuesday, 4 August. Finalists will be announced on 11 September, with winners to be named at The Blend on 10 October.
The Blend Awards are open to all garage businesses and professionals across the UK and Ireland. To submit an entry or nominate a team member, visit https://www.theblend.events.
