business Link Wessex has announced its participation as sponsor of the Small Business of the Year Award category for the 2003 Winchester Business Excellence Awards.

The announcement from Business Link, completes the line up of seven leading local organisations to sponsor the 2003 Awards and preside over the judging process. The competition is supported by estate agent Penyards and organised by founding partners: Hampshire Chronicle, Leepeckgreenfield, North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Winchester City Centre Partnership.

The competition is open to all businesses with fewer than 200 employees and an operating address in the local authority district of Winchester. There are six award categories in the competition, which seeks to encourage business competitiveness and reward business excellence. The award categories are:

* The Hampshire County Council New Business of the Year Award

* The Winchester City Council Award for Business Excellence through People

* The Dutton Gregory Award for Business and Education in Partnership

* The 365 Finance Award for Business in the Community

* The Condor Office Solutions Award for Service Excellence

* The Business Link Wessex Small Business of the Year Award

Local businesses have until February 28th 2003 to request an application form from the Awards office. Fill in the form on this page or phone 01962 841000.

The awards will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony to be held at the Winchester Guildhall on Friday May 30th.