BUSINESSES operating across the district have until 5pm on Friday to submit their entries for this year’s Winchester Business Excellence Awards.

There are nine awards up for grabs which will be presented at a prestigious ceremony at the Guildhall later this year.

Categories include the University of Winchester’s Entrepreneur of the Year, Winchester City Council’s Carbon Smart Business of the Year, Winchester Business Improvement District’s Commitment to the City and, new for this year, Rooster Creative Marketing’s Excellence Online Award.

Sponsoring the Large Business of the Year award is 1-1 Recruitment, while The Business Collective and Osborne sponsor the Responsible Business Award. Wilkins Kennedy LLP sponsors Excellence in Innovation and event sponsor Denplan will present the Business of the Year award.

The Breeze sponsors the nominated-only Customer Service Excellence award. Those who nominate entries will also be in with a chance of winning their own reward, with a meal for two at Rick Stein’s restaurant in High Street.

For the third year running, Denplan has stepped up as the main event sponsor.

Stephen Gates, managing director, said: “Denplan has been part of the Winchester economy for almost 30 years and it’s fantastic to see the innovation and business excellence brought to the city year on year. We are delighted that these efforts are recognised and rewarded by the Winchester Business Excellence Awards and Denplan is very proud to be returning as the principal sponsor.”

The Business of the Year Award will be presented to a dynamic company which is demonstrating excellence in developing its business. Judges will look for a company which demonstrates sound financial and business planning and success in overcoming challenges to drive forward its business plan. They will also want to see a clear relationship between its marketing strategy and the development of the business and a clear plan for future growth.