SOUTH Cheshire Chamber of Commerce is set to shine the spotlight on entrepreneurial talent after announcing the return of its prestigious Business Awards.

The awards, postponed last year due to the pandemic, will be combined with the Chamber's Annual Dinner with Falklands hero Simon Weston CBE as guest speaker and already there is an impressive array of sponsors and interest from would-be winners.

Always a memorable night, the ceremony on November 19 is moving to a larger venue at Reaseheath College offering greater capacity to enable social-distancing if required.

Once again there will be a chance for businesses to gain major recognition at an event widely-regarded as the best of its kind in the region and an eagerly-awaited highlight on the social calendar for 25 years.

Chamber chief executive Paul Colman said: "After making the difficult decision to postpone the Business Awards 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions, we are back with a bang in 2021 combining the awards with our annual dinner and guest speaker Simon Weston.

"The awards bring together the business community of South Cheshire, showcasing the achievements of a range of businesses and talented individuals, especially relevant following the unprecedented challenges we have all faced over the past year.

"For more than two decades, the awards have celebrated all that is great and good about our local business community and we expect to hear many stories of triumph over adversity this year.

"It will be a very special year to be part of an historic milestone ceremony either as a sponsor or entrant.

"Credibility and publicity gained from being a winner or finalist continues long after the ceremony and from the response so far we know there is a strong desire to mark achievement as part of a return to normality."

There will be nine award categories: contribution to the community, apprentice of the year, excellence in customer service, employer of the year, start-up business of the year, business of the year (under 25 employees), business of the year (25 plus employees), ambassador of the year and excellence in collaboration – new for this year. Highly Commended certificates will also be awarded.

Event sponsors and supporters include accountancy firm Afford Bond, commercial property specialists Legat Owen and health and safety consultants Rhino Safety who are helping with risk assessments to ensure all guests are safe.

Event partners include The Cat radio station comperes, Studio 1 Photography, Code AV, Reaseheath College, Rob Sproston Celebrity Speakers, TR Creative for website and Pure PR in Nantwich for publicity.

Mr Colman added: "This is our 25th year but our 24th ceremony due to so much of normal life being put on hold last year. Over the years it has been our pleasure to showcase the excellent range of businesses and array of talented individuals we have in South Cheshire.

"This year, more than ever, the awards offer a chance to recognise those who rose above the hardships and responded with acts of kindness to our local community.

"There is no better time to ensure those businesses who deserve high praise receive it and inspire others to go on and achieve great things.

"We are delighted to be back."

The awards are free to enter and returning will be a series of complimentary workshops offering tips on 'how to prepare an award-winning entry.'

For more information on becoming part of this very special evening click here.