The children’s activity sector is filled with business owners doing extraordinary things behind the scenes every single day.

They are building communities, creating opportunities for children, supporting families and somehow balancing creativity, customer care, marketing, finances and everything in between. Running an independent business in this sector takes resilience, adaptability and a huge amount of heart.

That’s exactly why sponsoring the Independent Business of the Year category at the Club Hub Awards 2026 felt so important to me.

This category celebrates businesses that are growing with purpose, showing real impact in their communities and building something meaningful in a sector that continues to evolve year after year.

Raising the bar across the Children’s Activities Industry

With 179 businesses submitting 462 applications across 16 categories, it’s clear there is so much innovation, passion and commitment happening across the UK children’s activities industry right now. These awards are judged entirely through written applications with no public voting, which means finalists and winners are recognised for the genuine impact and results they are creating within their businesses.

Being part of the event in Birmingham was a brilliant reminder of why I care so deeply about this industry.

Over the years, I’ve worked with hundreds of children’s activity business owners through mentoring, training, franchising and strategy support, and one thing always stands out to me. The businesses that make the biggest impact are often the ones built with the strongest sense of purpose.

Independent business owners are navigating a challenging market while continuing to show up for the children and families they support. They are adapting, innovating and finding ways to create experiences that genuinely matter.

That deserves to be celebrated.

Celebrating the Winners of Independent Business of the Year

This year’s Independent Business of the Year award was sponsored by The Class Business Academy, to support class-based business owners across the UK in building profitable, sustainable businesses while celebrating excellence across the industry.

A huge congratulations to this year’s winners, Reece Elbourn and Chris Kelly from Lets Leap Sports Academy Ltd.

Their recognition is a reflection of the incredible work happening within independent businesses across the children’s activities sector. Businesses like Lets Leap Sports Academy are creating meaningful experiences for children while building strong, community-driven companies with real impact.

Congratulations as well to every finalist and entrant who put themselves forward this year. The courage to share your story and your business journey deserves recognition in itself.

Events like the Club Hub Awards are about far more than trophies

They create visibility for the industry. They encourage business owners to reflect on their growth. They help raise standards across the sector. Most importantly, they remind people that the work they do matters.

One of the things I loved most about the event was seeing business owners connect, support one another and celebrate each other’s achievements. The children’s activity sector can sometimes feel isolating when you’re deep in the day-to-day running of your business, so opportunities to come together like this are incredibly valuable.

Tessa Day, Founder and Director of Club Hub UK, said:

“Huge congratulations to all our Club Hub Award winners this year. It was fantastic to celebrate your achievements at the event and showcase the incredible work happening across the children’s activities sector. I look forward to following your business journeys in the future.”

The future of this sector is exciting

There are so many business owners building sustainable, impactful businesses while creating experiences that shape children’s confidence, creativity and development. Supporting and spotlighting those businesses will always be something I’m passionate about.

A huge thank you to Club Hub UK and Tessa Day for organising such a fantastic event and for continuing to champion the children’s activities industry.

And once again, congratulations to all of this year’s finalists and winners. The work happening across this sector is inspiring to see.