JUDGES are looking for the best businesses in the district for this year’s Winchester Business Excellence Awards (WBEA), organised in partnership by the Hampshire Chronicle, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Winchester BID.

This year’s Small or Medium Enterprise/Independent Business of the Year title, sponsored by Winchester BID, will be presented to a dynamic company with less than 15 full-time employees which demonstrates all round brilliance in business.

Paul Spencer, executive director of the BID, said: "Independent businesses in Winchester contribute to the character and life of the city, helping to make it a unique and exciting place to live, work and visit.

"This award is open to BID levy paying businesses and aims to recognise commercial success, growth and achievement as well as innovation and creativity.

"It also aims to celebrate businesses which engage and contribute to Winchester life."

Nominations by either the businesses themselves or someone else, can now be made.

The other categories are:

Young Business Person Award;

Social Enterprise Award;

Business Leader Award;

SME/Independent Business Award;

New Business Award;

Digital Innovation Award;

Eco-business Award;

Service Excellence Award;

The Millennium Egg will continue to be awarded by the city council to the organisation or individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the area.

The Business of the Year Award will be given to the overall winner chosen by the judges from all of the category winners.

A culminating ceremony will be held to announce the winners, taking place on Thursday, June 6 at the University of Winchester.

The awards have long been recognised as a key date, and WBEA finalists will receive two tickets to the awards ceremony and dinner.

Once received, nominations will be considered by the judging panel and may be subject to a ‘mystery shopper’ visit and a Natwest health check.

The winners of each category will receive £250 of advertising in the Hampshire Chronicle or on Hampshirechronicle.co.uk.

To nominate, enter online at winchesterbusinessawards.co.uk.

Alternatively, send a 100-250 word email to wbeawards@localiq.co.uk, including the category, business name, address, website, contact name and telephone number.

Closing date for nominations is May 6.