JUDGES are now looking for the best businesses in the district for this year’s Winchester Business Excellence Awards (WBEA), organised in partnership by the Hampshire Chronicle, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Winchester BID.

This year’s New Business Award, sponsored by solicitors Dutton Gregory, will be presented to a company started within the past two years whose success has set the ground work for the growth and to move into a position of longer-term sustainability.

Andrew Tilley, managing partner at Dutton Gregory said “We are delighted to be a part of this year’s Winchester Business Excellence Awards, sponsoring the New Business category. Winchester is such a vibrant and diverse hub for small businesses to establish themselves with plenty of opportunities for growth.

"As a firm who has advised and supported both small and large local businesses for over 75 years, we’re excited to view the submissions from local new businesses.

"Initiatives such as the Winchester Business Excellence Awards gives local business a great opportunity to promote their products, services and staff to the wider community."

Nominations by either the businesses themselves or someone else, can now be made.

The other categories are:

  • Young Business Person Award;
  • Service Excellence Award;
  • Business Leader Award;
  • SME/Independent Business Award;
  • Eco-business award;
  • Digital Innovation Award;
  • Social Enterprise Award;
  • Large Business Award;
  • The Millennium Egg will continue to be awarded by the city council to the organisation or individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the area;
  • The Business of the Year Award will be given to the overall winner chosen by the judges from all of the category winners.

A culminating ceremony will be held to announce the winners, taking place on Thursday, June 6 at Winchester University.

The awards have long been recognised as a key date, and WBEA finalists will receive two tickets to the awards ceremony and dinner.

Once received, nominations will be considered by the judging panel and may be subject to a ‘mystery shopper’ visit and a Natwest health check.

The winners of each category will receive £250 worth of advertising in the Chronicle or on Hampshirechronicle.co.uk.

To nominate, enter online at winchesterbusinessawards.co.uk. Alternatively, send a 100-250 word email to wbeawards@localiq.co.uk, including category, business name, address, website, contact name and telephone number.

Closing date for nominations is Monday May 6.