Bath Life Awards Finalists
News
Bath Spa University receives record number of nominations for the Bath Life Awards
Friday, 23 January, 2026Bath Spa University has scooped four nominations for the 2026 Bath Life Awards, in the Civic and Community, Education, Events and Retailer categories and one for BSU-backed The Studio in the Business Services category – marking a record number of nominations in one year for the University.
The Civic and Community category highlights organisations or companies which have contributed to improving Bath this year. BSU’s Inclusive Communities team with Little Lost Robot CIC is an Ofsted Outstanding partnership that fosters inclusive routes into creative careers. They have been nominated in this category, particularly for the partnership’s DECOHERENCE project, a major international collaboration with the CERN Festival Programme, enabling 12 local NEET (not in education, employment or training) young people from Radstock to co-create a large-scale immersive artwork exploring quantum physics.
The Education category, sponsored by The Forum, celebrates teaching and education-focused establishments that teach in innovative and particularly effective ways or have had an impact on the wider community through education. BSU has been nominated for innovative and community-focused initiatives based at its Locksbrook Campus, including the ‘Unlocking Locksbrook’ programme, offering creative short courses to the local community, and Locksbrook Lates – a new series of free after-hours events celebrating creativity, community and connection.
The Events category recognises the cultural impact of events in the city, and BSU’s Bath Spa Live team has secured a nomination for supporting, producing and presenting a diverse programme of performances, exhibitions and public events to more than 6,500 people over the past year.
BSU and Future Fashion Works’ SOMER store scooped a nomination in the Retailer category. Launched in June 2025, SOMER is a sustainable fashion store and community space platforming a range of fashion, art, and ceramics from 150 local brands. In its first six months, SOMER has more than doubled its projected sales figures and worked with 150 makers, 40% of whom are BSU students and graduates.
Lucy Stone, Head of Communications and Brand Development, said:
“We are thrilled to have been recognised as a Finalist in a record breaking number of categories in the Bath Life Awards including Civic and Community, Education, Events and Retailer. With this year bringing the highest number of nominations for the University, it’s a testament to how we have continued to work towards embedding inclusivity, culture and professional creativity in our community. Whether that’s through our work to break down barriers to education, our innovative short courses, engaging with our community at one of our many exciting events, or supporting sustainable local fashion businesses.
“Bath is a wonderful and vibrant place, and BSU is proud to play such a crucial role in providing opportunities, engaging with our community and helping the city to flourish and thrive. Congratulations to all the other finalists, and we are looking forward to celebrating together on the Awards evening in March.”
Other finalists included BSU’s cultural partners Bath Carnival, Fairfield House, Music Workshop, Royal United Hospital and Theatre Royal Bath.
The full list of finalists is available on the Bath Life Awards website. Winners will be announced at a ceremony at The Forum in Bath on Thursday 12 March.