Residents, shoppers and workers are being asked to go online and nominate local businesses for one or more Hammersmith & Fulham Brilliant Business Awards.

Championed by H&F Council, the awards put the borough's finest and most outstanding businesses, entrepreneurs and community-minded enterprises into the spotlight, and recognise their achievements.

And businesses across Shepherd's Bush are hoping to repeat last year's success, when four local firms were among the winners. Cherry Red hair salon in Haydn Park Road, awarded the title Best New Business, Charlie Raworth of Bush Hall won Best Business Entrepreneur, interior design charity Petit Miracle Interiors was judged Best Creative Business and the Exchange Group Training Centre was named Best Shepherd's Bush Business.

It's never been easier to vote - just visit www.lbhfbba.com  and follow the instructions. You can also email nominations to business-desk@lbhf.gov.uk, call 020 8753 5585 and leave a your nomination details or vote in person at the town hall's reception in King Street.

The award categories are:

• Your favourite business
• Best customer service
• Best new business
• Best business supporter of the community
• Best Food business
• Best Shepherds Bush business
• Best Hammersmith business
• Best Fulham business
• Innovation award 
• Best local business
• Employee of the year
• Marketing award
• People's choice (most voted for by the public over all categories)

The closing date for nominations is Sunday October 19. Votes will be counted and the top eight business nominations in each category will be contacted and asked to submit a simple application form along with evidence about why they feel they should win the category for which they have been nominated. These forms will be assessed by a panel of independent judges made up of industry specialists.

The H&F Brilliant Business Awards celebration evening will take place on November 26 at St Paul's Church, in Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith.

Businesses can download a Brilliant Business Awards business pack and 'Vote for Us' poster at www.lbhfbba.com.

You can also email nicki.burgess@lbhf.gov.uk if you require a hard copy or would like further information.

Launching this year's awards, Cllr Andrew Jones, H&F's cabinet member for economic development and regeneration said: "These awards highlight the fantastic quality and variety of the 17,000 businesses we have in H&F - cafes, restaurants, hairdressers, beauticians, market stalls, architects and even financial advisors! 

"The council's new administration wants to make sure people who live and work in the borough support their local enterprises, keep shopping in their areas and vote for the businesses they love."

One of last year's winners, Elisicia Moore of Petit Miracles said: "Winning the Best Creative Business Award 2013 was a real boost to our business; it helped grow sales and improved team morale.  We proudly display the award in our shop and it tells our customers we are the best at what we do."

It's never been easier to vote - just visit www.lbhfbba.com (opens new window) and follow the instructions. You can also email nominations to business-desk@lbhf.gov.uk, call 020 8753 5585 and leave a your nomination details or vote in person at the town hall's reception in King Street.

September 15, 2014