WINCHESTER businesses have been given another week to nominate themselves or others for this year’s Winchester Business Excellence Awards.

The competition has so far proved such a hit with local business organisations across the district the deadline for submission has now been extended to Friday, March 14.

Katie Crow, of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is great to see so many local businesses taking an interest in the competition. Requesting an entry form is easy and you can even use the form to nominate another business you feel is deserving of an award. If your business has yet to enter, now is the time to act.”

The announcement comes at the same time new sponsor Hotel du Vin launches its criteria for the Best Winchester Food Experience Award.

The winner of this award will be a restaurant, hotel, pub, café or food producer which uses and promotes mainly regional, artisan, or Hampshire produce and offers consistently high quality food and drink in an enjoyable atmosphere. The judging will consider the ambience and service of the eating and drinking experience: one that brings people together through food and drink, has a genuine commitment to standards and shares a passionate belief in the use of local food, being of the highest quality, authentic and responsible, and supports the local economy and develops strong food communities.

Grant Callaghan, general manager of Hotel Du Vin, said: “Winchester is fast developing a reputation as one of the destinations to eat out in the South East, with a growing number of award winning producers, restaurants and bars on offer across the district. Hotel Du Vin was founded in Winchester and is delighted to now be involved in celebrating the hospitality industry at the renowned Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2014.”

Judges will assess the quality of the food, ingredients and taste, and the prioritising of regional food and drink, use of regional and seasonal produce, championing of artisan producers, personality of the service and ambience, quality of the service and value for money and consistency of the offer.

The competition is open to all businesses which have an operating address in the local authority district of Winchester. Entry packs including competition guidelines and a set of competition rules are available online at hampshirechronicle.co.uk/wbea or on request from the awards office run by Winchester BID by calling 01962 841000.