Christchurch businesses are to be the latest to have their successes trumpeted with the launch of the town’s new business awards.

Entries are now open for the inaugural Christchurch Business Awards after their launch at the Captain’s Club Hotel.

Fourteen business categories – plus an Overall Business of the Year – are up for grabs.

Entry is free via the dedicated website with a closing date of Monday May 16 at 2pm.

The awards ceremony is on Tuesday June 28.

Dorset Biz News is proud to be the official Media Partner.

Launching the awards, organiser Nigel Reeve, of MW Events, pictured left, said: “Our focus is on the quality and range of local businesses, giving them a chance to gain recognition and promote themselves.

“The awards are a celebration but not an excuse for a party.

“The focus is on the entries and not the event.”

The award categories are:

• Best Place to Work    
• Best Use of Innovation    
• Café, Pub, Casual Dining, Entertainment    
• Excellence in Customer Service
• Employee of the Year   
• Green/Eco-Business of the Year  
• Family 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
• Overall Business of the Year

Businesses can enter as many categories as they wish.

People can also nominate businesses they believe deserve an award.

Nigel Reeve, Organiser, Christchurch Business Awards (third from right) and Christina Pengelly, Christchurch BID Manager (third from left) with (left to right) BID Directors Adrian Simmons, Fi Herbage, Chris Guest and Paula Sales, Economic Development Officer, BCP Council. Picture: Dorset Biz News.

The Christchurch Business Awards are supported by Christchurch Business Improvement District (BID).

Christina Pengelly, BID Manager, said: “We’re really excited to be part of the new awards.

“We hope they become an annual event, both celebrating and highlighting the fantastic range of businesses we have in the Christchurch area.”

The Christchurch Business Awards are the latest in a series of successful local business awards across Dorset, organised by MW Events.

They include Bournemouth, Poole, Wimborne, Dorchester/Poundbury, Sherborne, Weymouth, Bridport and Lyme Regis.

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

“I was very, very frustrated at the negative news coverage during lockdown and the effect it was having on businesses.

“We began in Bridport with 32 entries and have grown ever since.

“We’re now averaging 250 entries per awards.

“These really are grassroots awards and I’m delighted to bring them to Christchurch.”

• For more information about becoming a category sponsor, please email networking@marketingwest.co.uk
• christchurchbusinessawards.co.uk