in association with Electricity North West, United Utilities and Lancaster University
Recognising & Celebrating the Best of The Bay
BEST SMALL INDEPENDENT RETAILER
Best Small Independent Retailer
This award will recognise a business with 1-10 employees that can demonstrate: Strong leadership and vision, good sales growth, sound financial performance and a robust plan for sustained growth.
This category will be awarded to a larger retailer who can demonstrate: Strong leadership and vision, sustained growth, sound financial performance, innovation and differentiation within the business.
The Best Customer Service award will go to an organisation that exceeds customer expectations in all areas of the business by providing the very highest level of customer service. Judges will be looking for: A clear, well-implemented customer care policy, evidence of standards of service which exceed customer expectations and how customer care contributes to the overall success ofthe company.
This award will recognise a business that can demonstrate an outstanding level of professional service delivery. Judges will be looking for: Strong professional credentials, promotion of brand identity, professionalism in service-delivery and professional accreditation levels of senior managers.
This category will reward the team who can show the best practical demonstration or contribution to their organisation, leading to a stronger way of working through: Innovative approaches, demonstration of how team work has made a positive impact on the wider organisation, working and influencing across departments to deliver tangible results.
The judges of this category will be looking for a Boss who demonstrates clear leadership, motivational skills, innovation, who is a facilitator of opportunities for his/her employees, establishing: Focused vision for the business, which their employees want to work towards. A boss who has incentivised and empowered staff and who recognises and rewards employees’ achievements and endeavours.
The judges invite nominations of quality who can demonstrate their provision of exceptional celebrations at a destination which can provide memorable occasions for those planning a once in a lifetime event. Judges will be looking for: Accomplished and friendly event planning staff, quality catering, aesthetically pleasing surroundings, comprehensive facilities, accessibility and comfort.
This category will be awarded to the Health or Fitness Centre that best demonstrates great results for its members. Judges will give consideration to: Positive and motivational ambience provided by knowledgeable staff, comprehensive programme of events, competitions, opportunities to socialise with like-minded members. Well maintained equipment and proven results.
This award is aimed at the Hair Salon that provides clients with an outstanding overall experience, regardless of whether it’s a simple blow dry, or a full set of extensions. The judges will be looking for: Skilful stylists, excellent client care, variety of services, comfortable surroundings, value for money.
This category will be awarded to the Beauty Business that offers on trend treatments that uplift and enhance, or relax and calm their clients. Perhaps your business offers non-surgical treatments showing proven results. The judges will be looking for: Treatments to inspire and pamper clients, delivered in surroundings that delight and provided by trained and experienced therapists.
This award is for the best venue to offer a varied and entertaining programme. The judges will be looking for: Lively programme of events and entertainment That collaborates with the local community to offer a diverse entertainment destination A creative hub for local talent, accessible to all.
Entries for the award of Best Coffee shop or Café should illustrate the provision of quality food and beverages in friendly surroundings. The winner will be able to show that they: Serve exceptional food and beverages, have passionate staff who believe in their products and cater for special dietary requirements. Are a social hub for customers looking for a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Provide a unique, pleasant environment, be it via décor or location.
The judges of this category will be looking for a Country Pub that offers the best of British hospitality – be it open fires, rosy cheeked landlords, a friendly atmosphere. The judges will be looking for: A warm welcoming family/ dog friendly hostelry, providing traditional and authentic hearty pub grub. Added value – pub quizzes, live music, accommodation, local knowledge. Location, parking and accessibility.
This award will be presented to a Town or City pub or bar that creates a lively buzz, drawing in clients wanting painting the town red. A ‘go to’ venue that makes sure you’ve got a drink in your hand as soon as you arrive. Judges will be looking for: Vibrant and lively atmosphere, great music or live bands, outstanding service from energetic staff serving great cocktails, artisan spirits or traditional ales. Traditional or quirky premises.
The Best Restaurant award will recognise a venue that invests in both quality chefs and waiting staff to provide exciting menus and a consistent quality dining experience. The winning entry will provide: Quality locally produced food, stunning presentation, knowledgeable staff who offer advice on dishes and drinks to complement and enhance your dining experience. Delicious yet diverse options for special diets or vegetarians.
This award will recognise the best local vacation destination. Considering everything from white fluffy towels and pristine bathrooms to wifi provision and morning papers, judges will be looking for: A great location providing clean, sumptuous rooms with enviable views and in-room facilities. Comfortable dining room with friendly staff serving good quality breakfast. Great customer service and local knowledge.
This award is aimed at a business that has developed the most innovative product, process, service or business method within the last three years, and can demonstrate the positive impact it has had on the business. The winner will be able to show: A clear vision of what the innovation project had to achieve, how the project was developed and the overall benefits to the business or its customers.
This award will recognise an outstanding business Entrepreneur – someone who has achieved success in building a new business venture, exploring niche’s, exploiting gaps in the market, and proving success through innovation. The ideal candidate will have: Demonstrated exceptional vision and commitment, shown inspirational leadership, having a significant impact on improving the performance of the business.
For this award, applications are invited from a broad spectrum of attractions, festivals or events. The winner of this category may be: A regular attraction or an annual event attracting not only local visitors but people from far and wide. A visitor attraction that consistently brings visitors through its doors that provides entertainment, education and value for money as well as unique visitor experiences.
The judges of this category will be looking for an employee who has consistently impressed their employer and colleagues. Do you have an employee who: Has gone above and beyond your expectations? Is a confident and motivated team player? Has learned new skills, or used innovative and creative thinking to exceeded personal development goals? Maybe this employee has brought in new practices, championed health and safety, spearheaded procedural changes, or has succeeded in a challenging role. The winner will have made an outstanding contribution.
This award will celebrate originality, creative use of imagination and exciting design in a variety of different forms. Could include but is not limited to: creative marketing, advertising, shop front design, instore branding, online activity, using creativity to generate new business or raising awareness of your brand with use of creative merchandising and product placement.
This category is open to any charitable organisation or a community/social enterprise trading in the Bay area with a social purpose and/or a not-for- profit basis and will go to a community initiative which can provide evidence that it has: Clear aims and objectives, has made a positive impact on its local community and/or environment, displaying innovation and individuality plus the potential for future growth and sustainability.
This award will go to the Best Local Charity which can provide evidence that it has: Clear aims and objectives, made a positive impact on its local community and/or environment, with potential for future growth and sustainability. The award is open to any charitable organisation or a community group operating in the Bay area with a social purpose and/or a not-for- profit basis.
This award will be presented to the apprentice who in the view of both the employer and the judges has demonstrated: Real dedication to the apprentice/trainee programme, an enthusiastic attitude toward learning, a clear application of knowledge and skills learned.
