South Chamber Business Awards 2021 off to great start

Entries have started to roll into the South Cheshire Chamber Business Awards 2021 less than a month after their official launch.

The Awards, postponed last year due to the pandemic, will be combined with the Chamber’s Annual Dinner with Falklands hero Simon Weston CBE as an inspirational guest speaker – and already the event has the hallmarks of being a huge success.

Eagerly-awaited, the ceremony takes place on November 19 at Reaseheath College in Nantwich offering greater capacity to enable social-distancing if required.

Once again there will be a chance for businesses to gain major recognition at an event widely-regarded as the best of its kind in the region and a highlight on the South Cheshire social calendar for 25 years.

The Awards will also showcase the skills of Reaseheath College students who will be involved in food preparation and serving as well as floristry and venue decoration.

Chamber Chair Dr Diane Wright paid tribute to the main event sponsors accountancy firm Afford Bond and support sponsors, commercial property specialist Legat Owen and health and safety consultants Rhino Safety.

She said: “The support of these local firms and long-standing Chamber members has been invaluable in helping the event take place and enabling us to have Simon Weston CBE as our guest speaker.

“And already there’s an excellent start to our Awards with interest from entrants in all categories.

“There’s tremendous enthusiasm for celebrating all that is great and good about the South Cheshire business community after an unprecedented 18 months.

“Now we urge businesses trading in South Cheshire to get in the running by entering the Awards which offer prestige and high-profile publicity.”

All the categories are backed by big names and confirmed this week is Cheshire East Council as sponsor of *Ambassador of the Year* award.

Other categories and their sponsors are:

*Apprentice of the Year,* Reaseheath College,
*Business of the Year* (under 25 employees), Hibberts LLP
*Business of the Year *(25 and more employees), Cheshire College South &
West*
*Contribution to the Community*, Bentley supported by Cheshire Connect
*Employer of the Year*, Assurant
*Excellence in Customer Service*, KPI Recruiting Ltd
*Excellence in Collaboration,* Construction Linx
*Start Up Business of the Year, *Right at Home and supported by South Cheshire Development Agency

To support hopefuls in their bid for glory in the Oscars-style ceremony, the Chamber has confirmed a series of complimentary workshops offering tips on ‘how to prepare an award-winning entry.’

Join the Chamber team at Rookery Hall at 2pm on August 10 and same time at Reaseheath College on August 19.

There will be a chance to meet past winners and judges. Further dates will be added in September.

With the entry deadline set for noon on September 24, organisers say now is the time to get in the running.

Entering the Awards is straight-forward, free and offers a fantastic marketing opportunity for South Cheshire business of all sizes.

Chamber Chair Diane Wright added: “The Awards have played an important role in celebrating achievement and inspiring others over the years.

“This year more than ever we need to recognise the resilience of our local businesses and their generosity towards supporting others.”

Enterprising and inspirational businesses and individuals have been celebrated by the Chamber since 1986.

There’s always great excitement on the night and nowadays, guests set social media alight with their posts.

For those finalists who miss out on a gong, there are highly commended certificates, prized by those who receive them.

For more information on becoming part of this milestone event go to southcheshirechamberbusinessawards.co.uk

(Pic: South Cheshire Chamber chair Diane Wright (centre) with staff from Reaseheath College and sponsors from Legat Owen, Rhino Safety Ltd and Afford Bond)