Stirling’s Business Awards are returning for a second year with nominations for the 2024 honours opening tomorrow.
The awards – run by Go Forth Stirling BID – recognise and reward the outstanding business owners and teams which run Stirling’s flourishing independent scene and are voted for by the public.
There are 11 categories and nominations begin tomorrow (Thursday November 2) when voters can suggest local businesses for the various honours via a dedicated webpage – www.independentstirling.co.uk/awards
There are a range of categories covering the retail, hospitality, hair & beauty and professional services sectors and the awards will be presented during a black-tie ceremony at the city’s Albert Halls next March.
The annual business awards are one of Go Forth’s many initiatives which support and showcase Stirling’s diverse range of independent traders.
Go Forth Stirling Project Director Danielle McRorie-Smith said: “We were thrilled with the success of the inaugural Stirling Business Awards which were well-attended by the business community and proved a fantastic opportunity to recognise all our entrepreneurial traders and unique retailers.
“It was also great to see the public really embrace the awards and advocate for their favourite businesses with more than 16,000 votes cast for nominees during the run up to the awards.
“We are fortunate to have such a wealth of independent shops, bars, restaurants, hairdressers, attractions and other businesses on our doorstep and it’s important to highlight what a fantastic asset they are and how they set Stirling apart from other cities.
“We hope the second year of the awards will be just as successful as the first and we’ve introduced several new honours this year as well as retaining many of the original categories.
“I hope the public will get involved now by voting for the restaurants, cafés, pubs, retailers, bars and other businesses they love to visit.”
There are a total of eleven awards categories including Café/Coffee Shop of The Year, Visitor Attraction of the Year, Hair & Beauty Business of the Year and Retailer of the Year.
This year, there is also a New Business of the Year Award – recognising businesses which began trading in 2023 – and a Business Support Service of the Year honour to reward companies which offer services such as graphic design, accountancy, IT consultancy and more.
There is also a new award of Service-led Business of the Year which includes healthcare firms, solicitors, tailors, estate agents and property letting companies.
The Charity of the Year Award and the special honour of Outstanding Contribution to Stirling are also returning along with Restaurant of the Year and Pub/Bar/Club of the Year.
Nominees should be independent businesses which are based within the city centre BID zone.
Nominations close on Monday December 11 and following the announcement of a longlist of the most popular businesses, a second round of voting will open just before Christmas to choose a shortlist of winners in each category.
Go Forth Stirling are also seeking sponsors for the awards including an overall main sponsor and sponsors for each award category.
Ms McRorie-Smith said: “We’re looking for sponsors who are keen to demonstrate their commitment to Stirling’s business community by backing the awards.
“In return, we can offer a fantastic opportunity to position your brand alongside our high-profile Stirling event.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about sponsorship opportunities should contact admin@goforthstirling.co.uk while more information about the awards is also available via www.goforthstirling.co.uk/business-awards/
