Independent shops, cafes, start-ups and services businesses in and around Stafford have been encouraged to enter a new awards scheme.
Leigh Ingham, MP for Stafford, Eccleshall and the villages, has launched her first ever Stafford Small Business Awards.
Entries are open until 5pm on 31 October and the winners will be announced at a special celebration event on Friday, 5 December ahead of Small Business Saturday.
The MP said: “Small businesses are essential to keeping our high streets vibrant, creating jobs, and driving the local economy.
“From our family-run cafés to independent garages, there is so much talent here in Stafford, Eccleshall, and the villages. These awards are about shining a spotlight on their incredible work, and I can’t wait to see the nominations come in.”
The categories are: Best Independent Retail, Best Café, Pub, or Restaurant, Best Beauty, Lifestyle and Wellbeing, and Best Service Business.
The titles of Business of the Year, Best New Business (for businesses open less than two years), and Best Town Centre Business will also be awarded.
The awards will be judged by an expert panel, except the People’s Choice Award which will go to the businesses that receives the most nominations.
Shortlisted businesses will be featured on Leigh Ingham MP’s official social media channels.
To be eligible, businesses must be the parliamentary constituency of Stafford, Eccleshall, and the villages, have fewer than 50 employees and a turnover of less than £10.2 million.
Click here to nominate.
Small Business Saturday encourages people to support local, independent businesses in the run up to Christmas.
- A similar awards scheme is being run by Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell. For more information about that, follow this link.
