A record number of businesses have submitted applications for the 2025 East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire Business Awards, organisers have revealed.
And a full list of finalists is set to be revealed exclusively in Focus on Friday tomorrow morning.
Now in its 15th year, the awards recognise the achievements of local businesses over the past 12 months and beyond, covering a wide range of sectors and disciplines.
Dave Bryon, host of the awards, said: “We are delighted by the response this year, for an awards ceremony that continues to go from strength to strength.
“The number of entries highlights the creativity, innovation and dedication of businesses in our area. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at the Gala Awards Evening in November.”
The Steering Committee and Judging Panels, consisting of industry experts and community leaders, will conduct site visits with the finalists throughout October, ensuring a thorough evaluation before the awards ceremony.
Dave added: “Each year, it becomes clearer just how much talent and ambition exists across East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire.
“Every entry tells a story of hard work, resilience, and the drive to succeed in a competitive business landscape.
“Good luck to all of the businesses that have submitted applications!”
The awards include 10 categories, spanning areas such as innovation, customer service and overall business performance. Entering multiple categories is encouraged.
Winners will be crowned at the Gala Awards Evening, which will take place on Thursday, 13 November at the Pirelli Stadium, home of Burton Albion FC.
