Bournemouth here we come!

MW Events, the company behind a series of successful local business awards across Dorset, has announced the launch of the Bournemouth Business Awards.

It follows on from local awards in other parts of the county including Poole, Wimborne, Dorchester/Poundbury, Sherborne, Weymouth, Bridport and Lyme Regis.

The awards have been described as ‘grassroots business awards’ focusing on promoting the range and quality of the businesses in each area.

Entry is always free, the judging is independent with no outside influence, there’s a category to suit every business and the awards ceremony is open to all, at cost.

The Bournemouth Business Awards launch is at lunchtime on Tuesday, January 25, at Bournemouth University.

The awards website goes live on Friday, January 14, and the lunchtime awards ceremony will be in May.

Entries open on the day of the launch.

The categories are:

• Best Place to Work
• Casual Dining, Pub, Entertainment
• Excellence in Customer Service
• Best Use of Innovation
• Family Business of the Year
• Green/Eco-Business of the Year
• Health, Beauty and Fitness
• Independent Business of the Year
• Local Artisans and Produce
• New Business of the Year
• Outstanding Community Support
• Professional Services Business
• Retail Business of the Year
• Young Entrepreneur/Rising Star

Partners and supporters include Yellow Buses, Saffery Champness, Bournemouth University, Dorset Mind and Hot Radio, with more category sponsorships currently being placed.

Dorset Biz News is proud to be the official media partner while the awards ceremony will be hosted by local personality Jay Rachet, pictured left.

Nigel Reeve, of MW Events, said: “We started these awards to promote local business, after the damage done by Covid.

“Our policy is to ensure we don’t lose this focus.

“The category sponsorship is good value and the cost to attend realistic and fair.

“Entry is free and businesses can enter as many categories as they want.

“The awards ceremony is also streamed live to reach the maximum number of people.

“Like so many businesses we had a tough time during the various restrictions, but things are now turning.

“To date our awards’ websites have been viewed over 6,000 times, we have had close to 900 entries and our awards streaming and videos have been viewed over 3,500 times.

“This shows the popularity of this type of awards.”

For more information about the Bournemouth Business Awards, please email [email protected].