Shortlisted for excellence at Cultural Enterprises Awards

In 2025 the Old Royal Naval College strengthened its status as the UK’s top heritage filming location, delivering record-breaking success with major productions such as Family Plan 2 and Close Personal Friends. This period also marked 100 years since the first film shoot at the site, celebrated with a Guinness World Record™ for the largest gathering of people dressed as screen characters. These celebrations reinforced the UNESCO World Heritage’s site cultural legacy and global profile, with themed tours and national media coverage.

In August 2025, the Old Royal Naval College hosted Labyrinth on the Thames, a sold-out six day electronic music festival produced in partnership with Labyrinth Events that reimagined the heritage site, attracting 57,000 attendees, many first-time visitors to the site. Three years in development, this major venue hire initiative delivered significant commercial income, diversified audiences, elevated the site’s cultural profile, and established lasting creative partnerships.

Georgina Hallett, Head of Commercial at the Old Royal Naval College, said, “We are thrilled to be recognised in these awards, as they highlight the strength of our commitment to both preserving this unique heritage and generating the vital income required to safeguard its future. Our diversified income model that includes venue hire, filming, retail, exhibitions and events, is essential to delivering conservation excellence while ensuring the site remains open, welcoming and sustainable for generations to come.”

Through its awards the Association for Cultural Enterprises promotes commercial best practice within the cultural sector has never been more important given the urgent need for the sector to maximise income streams and identify new sources of money making.

A total of 45 entries has been shortlisted across 15 categories covering all areas of commercial activity including retail, catering, ticketing, visitor experience, marketing, events, filming and venue hire, as well as individuals, teams and sector support organisations. The entries are judged on key criteria including innovation and success, as well as best practice in environmental sustainability and equity, diversity and inclusion.

The Awards have been judged by a panel of well-known and highly respected industry experts from across the cultural sector and beyond, all chosen for their extensive experience and expert knowledge.

Cultural Enterprises CEO Paul Griffiths said, “Each year the Cultural Enterprises Awards shine a light on the incredible creativity, resilience and commercial excellence within our sector, and this year’s Finalists are no exception. From pioneering retail and visitor experience to innovation in digital, catering and partnerships, the shortlisted organisations and individuals demonstrate just how vital cultural enterprise is to the sustainability of museums, galleries and heritage sites. I’d like to thank all those who took the time to submit entries, and our judges for the care and rigour they bring to the process. We’re very much looking forward to celebrating the Finalists and Winners at our Conference in February.”

The winners will be announced at the Cultural Enterprises Conference where the Awards Ceremony will take place on Tuesday 10 February at ICC Birmingham.

See the full shortlist at: culturalenterprises.org.uk/awards