IT’S the glitzy awards ceremony that celebrates local business success.

The launch of the 2018 Winchester Business Excellence Awards at Holiday Inn Winchester saw a drinks and canapes reception for the district’s best and brightest.

During the evening, organised by the Hampshire Chronicle, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Winchester BID, guests learnt more about the competition, gained networking opportunities and heard from the 2017 Business of the Year winner Iain Steel from Richard Steel and Partners.

The award is once again working with Simplyhealth Professionals, who are the principal sponsors of the event and also category sponsors for Business of the Year.

Catherine Turness, executive director of Winchester Business Improvement District, announced there was to be a new category for 2018 called the Winchester City Council Digital Innovation Award.

The other categories for this year are: The University of Winchester Charity of Social Enterprise of the Year, Winchester BID Independent Business of the Year, The Breeze Service Excellence Award, Paris Smith LLP New Business of the Year and Small-Medium Enterprise of the Year.

One business from these categories will also be crowned Business of the Year.

Iain Steel said the funeral directors were “ honoured and delighted” to have been recognised in 2017.

He added that even just from attending the award ceremony last June, he made three contacts with Citizens Advice, The Little Kitchen Company and those behind the revamp of St Maurice’s Covert in Winchester, which he would not have made without the awards.

“If you are deciding whether to put your business forward - do so,” he said.

The closing date for entry is Friday, February 23. The awards scheme will culminate in a ceremony on Friday, June 1 at the Guildhall.