Colchester is home to an incredible community of women-led businesses and recently, we took the opportunity to come together and celebrate them.
Behind every independent shop, café, studio and service is a woman driving it forward.
From wellness spaces and creative studios to cafés, boutiques and essential services, these businesses bring real value to the city. Colchester is better because of you.
The Women Behind Colchester’s Independent Businesses
Across the city centre, you’ll find inspiring women building businesses, supporting communities and creating spaces people love.
From Becky at Meow Cat Café, to Jodie at Jodie’s Piercings, to the brilliant team at The Wedding Shop - each one plays a part in shaping the personality and success of Colchester.
We also celebrated:
- Jo at Red Lion Books
- Sareta at Wax Spiritual
- Emma at Little Peek Baby Ultrasound
- Charlotte & Elsa at Brew & Whiskers
- Nat & Love at Love Reform
- Georgia at Be the Best You
…and many more women making a real impact across our city.
Celebrating Excellence in Colchester
As part of the celebrations, InColchester BID hosted an International Women’s Day networking event at Metro Bank, bringing together local businesses and leaders.
The event recognised women making a real impact across Colchester’s business community.
Excellence Award Winners 2026
A huge congratulations to this year’s recipients:
- Ella Edwards – For her remarkable leadership at Changing Lives
- Semra Sahinoglu – For the family warmth she brings to Café Med and Tymperley’s
- Louise Jensen – For her tireless dedication to the businesses at Lion Walk
- Sareta Fontaine – For fostering inclusivity and peace at Wax Spiritual
- Lizzie Brine – For her compassionate and inclusive management at Dogs Trust
- Beth Hull – For inspiring the next generation of artists at Firstsite
- Monika Marcininiak-Cilla – For building a supportive community at St Helena Hospice
- Maddie Barter – For championing the evening and nighttime economy through safer socialising
These women represent the very best of Colchester - leaders, innovators and community champions.
Supporting Women in Business
A big thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the event such a success - a great reflection of the strength and ambition within Colchester’s business community.
The impact of these women goes far beyond one event. Every time you visit, recommend or support a local business, you’re helping them continue to grow.
So next time you’re in Colchester, support local and back the women behind the businesses shaping our city.
