Yesterday, the 3 September 2007, saw the launch of the Gosport Business Awards, designed to celebrate and promote the achievements of the local business community. Companies and organisations from across the Borough are being invited to take part in this exciting opportunity to showcase the expertise and success of their business, products and staff.
The Scheme has been developed in response to business requests and has the support of both the Gosport Business and Tourism Forums. A business-led working group, supported by Shaun Farrell from the Impact project and Gosport Council’s Economic Prosperity team, has overseen the development of the Scheme, which is being promoted as the first of a range of initiatives under the new Borough-wide brand of ‘goGosport’.
Andrew Weston, Manager at Gosport Business Centre, and one of the business representatives involved in the development and sponsorship of the Awards Scheme said “Gosport has a rich, diverse, range of companies. These awards are a great way of recognising success and an excellent way of advertising what is great about Gosport”.
The Scheme, which is funded by Business Sponsorship of Awards, includes the following categories:
- Most Promising New Business
- National/International Trade Business of the Year
- Customer Service Excellence
- Benefit to the Community
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Best Hospitality Venue
- Best Leisure and Tourism Venue
- Gosport Business of the Year (selected from the seven category winners)
The Awards are free to enter and open to all Gosport businesses. Winners will receive an engraved glass trophy, to be presented at a black tie event at the Alverbank Hotel on 29 November 2007, hosted by TV personality Fred Dinenage.
If successful, it is hoped that the Awards will become an annual event and be expanded to include a category for Youth Enterprise. The Scheme is also intended to act as a springboard for local companies to enter other Award schemes such as The News Business Excellence and Tourism South East Awards.
