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.

Two awards are still available for sponsorship. To apply, contact Jason Tuck at jason.tuck@localiq.co.uk, or by calling 02380 424977.

The Young Person Award will be presented to a person under the age of 30 who has demonstrated drive in growing their business.

The judges are looking for someone who has established a position of profitability and success and who has vision for the future.

The Digital Innovation Award will be presented to a business that demonstrates the use of innovative digital technology and has plans in place to develop this in the future.

The judges are looking for someone who demonstrates sustainable process efficiency to influence future growth.

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

The other categories are:

  • New Business Award;
  • Service Excellence Award;
  • Business Leader Award;
  • SME/Independent Business Award;
  • Eco-business 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.