DOZENS of new businesses spring up across the district each year.

Many grow into successful and key parts of the local community.

That’s why the Winchester Business Excellence Awards features the New Business category – to recognise those determined to make a difference.

This specific award will be presented to a business started within the past two years whose existing success has set the ground work to grow, flourish and move into a position of longer-term sustainability.

Nominations for the awards, which are organised in partnership by the Hampshire Chronicle, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Winchester BID, are now open.

Enter now at winchester businessawards.co.uk. Nominations now close on July 31 in light of the coronavirus crisis.

Each week the Chronicle has been giving details of each category.

These are:

• Young Business Person Award

• Social Enterprise Award

• Large Business Award

• Digital Innovation Award

• SME/Independent Business Award

• Service Excellence Award

• Business Leader 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 awards will culminate in a ceremony, now taking place in October at the University of Winchester.

It has long been recognised as a key date in the business calendar, and those companies lucky enough to be become a Winchester Business Excellence Awards finalists will receive two tickets to the awards ceremony and dinner.

Nominations are welcomed for businesses or businesses are able to nominate themselves.

Once received the nominations will be considered by our judging panel and may be subject to a ‘Mystery Shopper’ visit by the category sponsor.