BORDERS businesses are set for another stunning gala dinner later this summer after more than 700 were nominated for top awards.
The Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce launched a new Business Excellence Awards event three years ago and it has grown to the extent that nominations for the gongs are now heading towards 1,000, with still one category left for the public to have their say.
After sifting through more than 200 nominations for 12 awards, the SBCC panel of business experts have now shortlisted four in categories from Business of the Year to Environmental Impact, Innovation to High Growth and Community Impact.
The Borders’ Favourite Business of the Year was a category added last year, with the public invited to nominate their favourite in each of the four old districts of Tweeddale, Roxburghshire, Selkirkshire and Berwickshire. That public vote remains open until Monday (July 13) at 5pm, but already there have been more than 500 nominations received.
SBCC chair Trevor Jackson said: “We have been blown away by the level of interest and support for local businesses that we have seen ahead of this year’s awards night.
“What we wanted to do with this event was create an opportunity for businesses to stop for a moment and reflect on what they have achieved or are achieving, because that is something that busy business people rarely do.
"We added to that by creating a public vote for a ‘Favourite Business’, and that has really captured the imagination of people across the region, who have voted for their favourites.
“But the event at Peebles Hydro also provides the opportunity for businesses and their employees to have a good social night out and share in celebrating the quality of enterprises we have in the Scottish Borders.”
This year’s event will be held at Peebles Hydro on Friday, August 28. Further details are available from the SBCC website – borderschamber.com.
The shortlist:
DYW Business of the Year (sponsored by DYW Borders) - Eat Sleep Ride, Evolution BPS, SCHLOSS Roxburghe, Wright Flow Ltd.
Innovation in Business (GoFibre) - Borders Competitions, Eat Sleep Ride, Emtelle, Plexus Corp (UK) Ltd.
Environmental Impact Award (Farne Salmon & Trout Ltd) - Eildon Housing Association, Lighten The Load, Plexus Corp (UK) Ltd., Sustainable Borders.
High Growth Business of the Year (Plexus Corp UK Ltd) - GoFibre, GSP Digital Solutions Ltd., Lowrie Property Ltd., Wright Flow Ltd.
New Business of the Year (Emtelle) - Border Padel Co., Fine Feathers, moira", Multiply Technology Ltd.
Micro Business of the Year (SPG Innovation & Technology) - HomePhysio By Nicola Ltd., Motivity, Purple Sage Soap, Resolution Mediation Scotland.
Community Impact Award (Lowrie Property Ltd) - Borders Pet Rescue, Milly Rose Music, Sea The Change, Your Local Friend.
SME Business of the Year (Eildon Housing Association) - Laughing Ducks Soft Play, Milestone Garden Centre, Pearsons of Duns, Unique Cottages.
Family Business of the Year (Borders Buses) - Braw Retail Cafe at Findra, Jacksons of Jedburgh, Laughing Ducks Soft Play, Pearsons of Duns.
Manufacturing Business of the Year (South of Scotland Enterprise) - Emtelle, Farne Salmon & Trout Ltd., Motivity Solutions Ltd., Plexus Corp (UK) Ltd.
Food & Drink Producer of the Year (Scottish Borders Council) - Wilson's Farm and Kitchen, The Homestead Café & Farm Shop, Grazers, SCHLOSS Roxburghe.
Large Business of the Year (Charlesfield Farms) - Emtelle, Farne Salmon & Trout Ltd., GoFibre, Plexus Corp (UK) Ltd.
