THE sponsors for this year’s INSPIRE business awards have now been announced, with entries for nominees now open.

The awards celebrate the successes of all types of businesses across north Hampshire.

Organised by Destination Basingstoke, last year the awards were attended by over 500 people, representing more than 180 businesses from the region.

Managing director at Destination Basingstoke, Felicity Edwards, said the ceremony is an opportunity for businesses to celebrate what they have achieved.

She said: “Often when people think of INSPIRE they think of the evening and all its glitz.

“However Inspire is an awards programme, not just a good night out, and the most important part of the programme are the businesses themselves and the hard work and passion that makes them award-winning.

“Those involved with the awards constantly strive to encourage the best calibre of entries and we would like to encourage customers of businesses friends, relatives and colleagues to recommend great businesses to enter.”

This paper is joining 11 different sponsors to support the 12 different categories.

The Gazette, a long-standing supporter of the awards, will sponsor the business and community award.

Join The Gazette will be some new sponsors and some regulars, including Brackenwood Windows, sponsor of the family business of the year award and winner of the Queen’s award for innovation and based locally in Fleet, and Babyliss who are fittingly sponsoring the innovation excellence category.

Entry into the INSPIRE17 business awards is free. To enter a business visit inspirebusinessawards.co.uk.