BEING in business in 2021 is an achievement in itself.

Barely a year ago, just about every business plan in existence was torn up by the arrival of Covid-19.

Bosses everywhere were focused on protecting their staff, protecting their customers, and protecting their livelihoods. 

After a slew of legal restrictions that stopped many people trading at all, business leaders had to get to grips with a host of grant, loan and subsidy schemes that were rushed out by the government and adapted as the pandemic spread.

Some businesses have found an opportunity to adapt and even expand.

For others, it has been a question of battening down the hatches and preparing for the eventual recovery.

It looks as though that recovery is on the way and that we are emerging, slowly and cautiously, from the coronavirus crisis.

That makes now an especially good time for the Winchester Business Excellence Awards to recognise the resourcefulness, strength of purpose and plain hard work that has got many businesses through this crisis.

It will be a privilege for us to honour some of the many who have led their businesses through it all. But the judges will face a tough job.

After all, in the shadow of Covid, there can’t be many businesses which don’t deserve an award.

The Winchester Business Excellence Awards organised in partnership by The Hampshire Chronicle, Winchester BID and Hampshire Chamber of Commerce are sponsored by Paris Smith, Dutton Gregory, Winchester City Council, Winchester University and Winchester BID and are open to businesses within the Winchester District.

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.

The judges will be looking to announce the three finalists in each category on Thursday 22nd July in the Hampshire Chronicle and on hampshirechronicle. co.uk and then a celebratory awards event, will conclude the awards on Thursday 2nd September.

The winners of each category will receive £250 of advertising in the Hampshire Chronicle or on hampshirechronicle.co.uk and will also be featured in the category winners’ coverage in the Hampshire Chronicle or on hampshirechronicle.co.uk

Awards categories include:

• Business Leader Award

• Charity Award

• Social Enterprise Award

• Large Business Award

• SME/Independent Business Award

• New Business Award 

• Digital Innovation Award

• Sustainable Business Award

• Service Excellence Award

Enter now at winchesterbusinessawards.co.uk

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

The Business of the Year Award will be nominated to the overall winner that will be chosen by the judging panel form all the category winners.

Closing date for nominations Thursday 1st July 2021

Usual Newsquest competition terms and conditions will apply please visit: www.newsquest.co.uk/prize-competition-rules/ https://www.newsquest.co.uk/privacy-policy for full details. £250 multi-media advertising prize valid for use until 31st December 2021