Businesses in Great Yarmouth borough invited to enter Spirit of Enterprise Awards

TOP-PERFORMING businesses are invited to take centre stage by entering the Spirit of Enterprise Awards, the most prestigious annual celebration of business excellence in the Great Yarmouth borough.

Organised by enterpriseGY, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's business support and inward investment service, the popular awards aim to recognise and raise the profile of the area's top-performing businesses, while boosting confidence in the strength of the local economy. 

The awards are free-of-charge to enter online at www.enterpriseGY.co.uk. Businesses of all sizes and sectors are encouraged to put themselves forward for one or more of the nine categories before entries close on Friday, November 22.

This year, there are some new categories, plus extra incentive to enter as all entrants will automatically be entered into the Norfolk Business Awards in 2020, where there is a like-for-like category.

The finalists and winners in the Spirit of Enterprise Awards will be showcased in the media and at a glittering awards ceremony and gala dinner at the Town Hall's prestigious Assembly Room in spring.

Each award is backed by a different local sponsor, who shortlists the finalists and chooses their category winner. This year, the main sponsor is last year's Business of the Year, API Microelectronics Ltd, who will choose the 2019/20 Business of the Year from the winners of the other categories.

The other confirmed sponsors are P&S Personnel, Noritake Itron, ASCO Group, Potters Friends Foundation and Lovewell Blake.

The award categories are:

• Employer of the Year
• Great Customer Service
• Director/Business Owner of the Year
• Investing in Future Growth
• SME (Small or Medium Enterprise) of the Year
• Larger Business of the Year
• Great Community Contribution
• Great Family Owned
• Leisure and Tourism Business of the Year

Cllr Carl Smith, the council leader, said: "The prestigious Spirit of Enterprise Awards are now in their 12^th year, highlighting the borough's many and varied successful businesses. This year, there are some new categories, and we're also feeding entrants into the Norfolk Business Awards, so there is even more reason to enter. 

"For businesses, this is a chance to celebrate your successes on the public stage and be recognised for your achievements by leading figures in the local business community, raising your stature and reputation, boosting pride among your hard-working team and helping to build connections.

"Entries are welcome from the smallest start-ups through to the established and growing businesses located in and trading in the Great Yarmouth borough. The awards recognise achievements in innovation, entrepreneurial thinking and sheer business determination. There are lots of brilliant businesses across the borough, so make sure you submit your entries by November 22."

Matt Howchin, Operations Director at API Microelectronics Limited, said: "Winning Business of the Year 2018 was a fantastic endorsement of our business which at the same time recognised the skill, innovation and hard work of all of our employees.

"This year we are delighted to be the main sponsor and we would encourage as many businesses as possible, operating within the borough, to enter. There is much to be proud of within the Great Yarmouth business community and I very much look forward to meeting and learning about those businesses in the coming weeks and months." 

Businesses seeking more information can visit www.enterpriseGY.co.uk or call Michaela Smith-Moore on 01493 846380.