Applications are now open for the Uttlesford Business Awards 2025, run by Uttlesford District Council.
Businesses can nominate themselves for one of the following categories:
- Best for innovation
- Rising star
- Young entrepreneur
- Creative champion
- Commitment to community
- Environmental impact
- Support local
- Food and drink producer
- Retailer of the year
- Health, beauty and wellbeing
- Leisure and hospitality
- Dedication and service
- Make and manufacture
Residents can also nominate a business which they feel deserves recognition for their outstanding performance in one of the above categories.
To be eligible for an award, businesses need to be based or have a fixed presence in Uttlesford and have been trading for at least 12 months.
All nominated businesses will be entered into two additional categories. The first is Uttlesford Business of the Year, which will go to a business which stands out from the rest, showing a "strong overall performance and clear vision for the future".
The 2024 Uttlesford Business of the Year Award went to creative design agency Capture House.
The second is the People's Choice Award, which will give residents the chance to vote for a business they believe is "committed to going above and beyond to provide excellent customer service".
Votes for this award will open when the shortlisted businesses are announced on Monday, February 10.
An awards ceremony will be held at Saffron Hall on Thursday, February 27 to celebrate Uttlesford's small businesses and offer networking opportunities.
READ MORE
- Plans for major housing estate with more than 1,000 homes near Stansted Mountfitchet
- Saffron Walden BID launches 'Spend it Local this Christmas' campaign
The event is sponsored by London Stansted Airport and will include light refreshments and music from award-winning jazz musicians.
Cllr Neil Hargreaves, deputy leader of the council and portfolio holder for finance and the economy, said: "This is an opportunity for us to shine a spotlight on the vibrant business community in Uttlesford and celebrate their remarkable stories of success and entrepreneurship.
"Our thriving market towns and rural villages are home to some outstanding businesses all with unique offerings for both our residents and wider markets.
"We look forward to recognising this talent at the awards ceremony next year."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here