Nigel Reeve, Director, Marketing West SW, and Catherine Lavin, Co-owner, Kingston Country Courtyard, at the launch of the Purbeck Business Awards. Picture: Dorset Biz News.
Published: September 29, 2022 | Updated: 30th September 2022
Two more business awards have been launched in Dorset bringing the number of towns and areas having their own ‘grassroots’ awards to 11.
Purbeck and Shaftsbury are the latest to be chosen by organisers Marketing West SW Ltd with a 12th location due to be announced next week.
They join Bournemouth, Bridport, Christchurch, Dorchester-Poundbury, Jurassic (Lyme Regis), Poole, Sherborne, Weymouth and Wimborne.
Dorset Biz News is proud to be the official county-wide media partner for the awards.
Speaking at the launch of the inaugural Purbeck Business Awards, Nigel Reeve, Director of Marketing West SW, said the fast-growing network of awards was striking a real chord with businesses.
He said: “We tried our first one in Bridport and the awards just flew.
“These are grassroots business awards and nothing fancy.
“The awards are not an excuse for a party.
“The focus is on the entries, and not the event.
“It’s a chance for local businesses to get together while the award presentation is also streamed to reach the maximum number of people.
“The role of the awards is to promote the range and quality of local business.
“They’re free to enter with businesses able to enter as many categories as they want within a geographical area.
“Judging is independent, online and with no outside influence.
“Business confidence is still being hit by negative media coverage.
“These awards are trying to do something in a small way to help showcase the quality of local businesses.
“We are delighted to add these two areas to our stable of local business awards across Dorset.
“We encourage businesses to enter.
“After all you have to be in it to win it.”
Around 40 local business leaders heard updates on the awards at receptions held at The Grosvenor Arms in Shaftesbury and Kingston Country Courtyard near Corfe Castle.
Entries for the Shaftesbury Business Awards close on Monday, November 28.
The response to date has been described as “incredible” with 50 entries and nominations for the 15 award categories arriving in the first 24 hours.
Entry is via the website.
The lunchtime awards ceremony is at The Grosvenor Arms on Thursday, January 26, 2023.
The first entry for the Purbeck Business Awards was submitted within one hour of its new website being launched.
Closing date for the 13 categories is Friday December 23 and the awards ceremony is on Thursday, February 23, 2023.
The venue is the Kingston Country Courtyard near Corfe Castle.
The Purbeck Business Awards cover the Isle of Purbeck including Swanage and Wareham.
