IT'S that time of year again.

Winchester Business Excellence Awards (WBEA), a staple event in the city's calendar, will be launched on February 6 – meaning judges will soon be looking for the best businesses in the district.

The awards, organised in partnership by the Hampshire Chronicle, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Winchester BID, will feature nine different categories:

• Business Leader Award

• Young Business Person Award

• Social Enterprise Award

• Large Business Award

• SME/Independent Business Award

• New Business Award

• Digital Innovation Award

• Sustainable Business Award

• Service Excellence Award

After the launch, nominations will be open.

As always, the awards will culminate in a glitzy event.

The Hampshire Chronicle will be reporting on the awards thoroughly in the coming weeks.