JUDGES are now 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 Eco-business award, sponsored by Winchester University, will be presented to the business that has reduced their impact on the environment in two or more of the following areas: green product innovation; emission of greenhouse gases; energy consumption; water consumption; production of waste and improving recycling rates; sustainable supply chain and procurement; transport impact of their goods or services; staff development and training on environmental impact.

A spokesperson for the university said: "At the heart of our values-driven University is a passion and commitment to achieving a better and more sustainable future for all. "Our dedication to sustainability is reflected in the University’s strategy and embedded across the institution through our learning and teaching, research, knowledge exchange and culture.

"We are an exemplar of environmental sustainability and are committed to reducing our environmental impact through sustainable water management, improving biodiversity through sustainable and ethical food, reducing our carbon footprint and our consumption of natural resources.

They added: "We are delighted to sponsor this new category and are proud to continue supporting the Winchester Business Excellence Awards."

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

The other categories are:

  • Young Business Person Award;
  • Service Excellence Award;
  • Business Leader Award;
  • SME/Independent Business Award;
  • New Business Award;
  • Digital Innovation Award;
  • Social Enterprise Award;
  • Large Business 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 Winchester University.

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 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 category, business name, address, website, contact name and telephone number.

Closing date for nominations is May 6.