By Julie Waters
ENTRIES for the prestigious Bangor Business Awards are now open with many local businesses set to shine in this year’s competition.
With the closing date for all entries being Friday, September 20 at 5pm, there are just three weeks left to enter any of 17 categories that are up for grabs.
For the awards 22nd year there will be two new categories to enter – Hair and/or Beauty Salon of the Year and Health and Wellbeing Business of the Year.
The October 24 awards night at Clandeboye Lodge Hotel will be hosted by television personality Pamela Ballentine with local family business The Fusco Group the title partner for a second year.
Other supporting partners include Clandeboye Lodge Hotel and Ards and North Down Council, with Spectator Newspapers the media partner.
Organised by Bangor Chamber of Commerce, President Frank Shivers has been encouraged by the number of local businesses who have already entered or have sponsored the awards.
“The launch last week was great and it has been absolutely fantastic the amount of people talking about the awards and asking for information,” said Mr Shivers.
“It is also encouraging the amount of people who have entered the awards already. We have a couple of new categories including the hair and/or beauty salon of the year, so it is looking really positive.”
Local businesses can choose from a range of categories including the Hospitality and Tourism Business Of The Year award which is open to all hospitality and tourism businesses such as pubs, bars, hotels and pubs, bars, hotels, guest houses, restaurants, tour operators and coffee shops that are committed to offering the highest levels of customer care.
The Bangor’s Best Food To Go Establishment award will go to the business that offers the best food, quality and service with judges keen to hear what sets this local business apart.
Demonstrating outstanding performance, innovation and customer satisfaction is a must for local businesses entering the Professional Business Services Company Of The Year
Other award categories include the Emerging Business Of The Year which is open to all new businesses that have been trading since April 1st, 2021. Entrants will need to demonstrate what the business is, how it has developed its market and customer base and give an overview of future plans.
Entrants for the Family Business of the Year award must have at least two generations working in the business. Award hopefuls must explain what the business is, the family roles and their plans for succession to ensure the continuation of the business.
The Best Business Development award is open to both small and large businesses that demonstrate how they have achieved identifiable results and business growth through such measures as performance against targets, growth of repeat business or new business, job creation and adoption of new products or technologies.
Other awards up for grabs include the Employer Of The Year that will shine a light on those unsung hero employers who provide a secure, nurturing, engaging, inspiring and supportive environment for their employees.
The Hair And/Or Beauty Salon Of The Year category will honour a salon that excels in customer service, creativity, treatments and client satisfaction while the Wellbeing In The Workplace award will recognise organisations that are nurturing a more positive workplace.
The Commitment To Bangor Business Community award recognises and rewards a business or individual in Bangor, for commitment and dedication to the Bangor Business Community.
The Bangor’s Company Of The Year award is open to any business within Bangor regardless of size or employee count. Entrants will need to show their company’s ability to grow and how you plan to do so in the future.
For more information on each of the awards and to enter for free log on to: www.bangorchamber.co.uk
