Last chance for top businesses to enter Spirit of Enterprise Awards

Organised by enterpriseGY, the 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 Entries have been extended by popular demand, but business looking to enter one of the nine categories do need to hurry, as the new deadline is Monday, December 16.  

This year, there are some new categories, and 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 2020.

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 award sponsors are P&S Personnel, Noritake Itron, ASCO Group, Potters Friends Foundation and Barclaysplus multi-media sponsorShaun Lawson Video.

 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: "This awards scheme is about showcasing the many innovative, entrepreneurial and determined businesses from across the borough, helping to support the local economy and boost investor confidence.

"It is completely free-of-charge for businesses of all sizes and sectors to enter. We have extended the entry deadline by popular demand to allow even more businesses to enter, but make sure you hurry and submit before Monday, December 16.

"We always have great feedback, with past winners saying the recognition has helped to boost staff morale, their profile and their reputation with clients. This is a fantastic opportunity and a great celebration of business excellence that has only been made possible thanks to our sponsors, including main sponsor API Microelectronics Ltd."

Entries are welcome from the smallest start-ups through to established and growing businesses located in and trading in the Great Yarmouth borough.

Matt Howchin, Operations Director at API Microelectronics Ltd, 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.