Hammersmith and Fulham's brightest and best businesses are set to be recognised at the first ever Brilliant Business Awards.

Residents, shoppers and workers are being asked to go online and nominate their favourite businesses, entrepreneurs and community-minded enterprises for a top prize in a borough-wide competition that will showcase the best of business.

There are five categories, which are:
Your favourite business
Best customer service
Best new business
Best business supporter of the community
Best young entrepreneur (aged 35 or under)

To nominate a business for an award, complete the online voting form by midnight on Sunday June 17.

Everyone who nominates a business will be entered into a prize draw to win a fantastic goodie bag of prizes donated by local businesses.

For more information please contact Nicki Burgess in H&F Council’s economic development team, on 020 8753 5695 or 07796 610094, or email nicki.burgess@lbhf.gov.uk

The award categories and criteria are:

1. Your favourite business 
Is there a business that you could not live without? Is there a business that regularly appears on your bank statement? We are looking for your favourite local business from the local café that serves up the best full English to the hairdresser who make you feel a million dollars. It might be a high street business, a market trader, a garage, a plumber a printers or a gym … the list is endless! There are no restrictions on the size of the business you nominate just tell us in less than 50 words why.

2. Best customer service 
Many organisations pay lip service to great customer service but, in reality, few truly deliver. This award recognises businesses with a focus on customer service and care.  Vote for the business that exceeds your expectations to deliver a product or service that values you as both an individual and a customer.

3. Best new business 
This award is for businesses that have been trading for less than three years.  It might be an established product, a new product or service a traditional concept or a business that has identified a gap in the market.  It might simply be a new shop on the high street. Vote for the business that changes your world.

4. Best business supporter of the community 
This award will recognise and celebrate the contribution a business or community organisation has made to the community or the economy. It might have organised and funded a successful community event, raised funds for a local charity, created employment opportunities for young people or simply delivered a local service that is invaluable.  Nominate the business that you feel makes a difference to your life in the borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

5. Best young entrepreneur (aged 35 or under) 
Young entrepreneurs make a vital contribution to the economy today, and are critical to the UK economic future. Do you know of a fledgling business which has successfully taken those first few steps to developing a sustainable future? Is there a talented individual with the business acumen, personality and drive to get those contracts and create a profit?  This business might only have been formed for a few months but should not have been operating as a business before January, 2010. Vote for the dynamic business that has a vision of prosperity!

Votes will be counted and the top 10 businesses in each category will be contacted and asked to submit a simple application form with 250 words (max) on why they feel they should win the category for which they have been nominated. Entries will be assessed by a panel of independent judges who are industry specialists. The judges will also carry out a mystery shopping exercise with all 50 finalists – that may be in person, by telephone or by email.

The winning business in each category will receive a H&F Brilliant Business Awards trophy and a prize sponsored by a local company or organisation. The runner-up in each category will receive an H&F Brilliant Business Awards plaque. 

The winners will be announced on Monday July 9.

May 15, 2012