Not one to miss out on the party, Poole is once again set to hold its own local awards alongside a host of other enterprising communities in the area.

Organisers took to the BID offices in Poole Quay this week to announce that the Poole Business Awards would make their return for the third year running.

This year brings a number of new innovations, including a reception for winners and sponsors held a few weeks after the awards ceremony. Category sponsorship will also be limited to just two businesses per sector.

Entries are now open for free until early September, with the ceremony scheduled for lunchtime on Thursday 5 October.

The categories are as follows:

• Café, Pub, Casual Dining
• Family Business
• B2B Business of the Year
• Rising Star-Young Entrepreneur
• Best Place to Work
• New Business of the Year
• Excellence in Customer Service
• Green/Eco Business of the Year
• Independent Business of the Year
• Retail Business of the Year
• Business of the Year (up to 10 employees)
• Business of the Year (11+ employees)

Poole Quay Credit: Nigel Reeve

MW Events has already secured sponsorships from Bournemouth University and its Business School, Action Coach, Saffery Champness Accountants, Poole BID and NFU Mutual Bournemouth. The remaining categories are now being placed.

Nigel Reeve of MW Events said: “I’d like to thank the sponsors for their support, because without them the awards would not happen.

“In terms of the categories we’ve looked at most popular over the last two years and then shaped this year’s categories around that.”

He went on to clarify: “On the subject of entries and nominations, last year some businesses thought they would be judged on the number of nominations they received. That isn’t the case.

“Nominations are judged like entries. It’s not the number but it’s what the nominations say about the business.”

2022 winners of Poole Business Awards at The Lighthouse in Poole Credit: Nigel Reeve

Businesses are invited to apply at poolebusinessawards.co.uk.