2015 Fenland Enterprise Business Awards are open for entries

We are looking to build further on the massive success of the event which has been running since 2009.

This year, we have 13 awards up for grabs, 10 of which are open for entries. They will identify Fenland’s best small and medium businesses, environmentally-friendly initiatives and star employees.

The Apprentice Award – set up in memory of teenager Craig Bird who was killed in a car crash in 2010 – also returns. Craig, 18, of March, was an apprentice at the Fenland Engineering Skills Centre, at Metalcraft in Chatteris.

One new category this year is the Food Producer of the Year Award, to recognise the many Fenland companies involved in food production – either as part of a supply chain or direct sale to the public.

And once again YOU will decide which town is the Pride of Fenland and demonstrated the greatest entrepreneurial spirit during the last 12 months.

A ‘winner of winners’ will be chosen from the 11 category winners for the grand title of Business of the Year.

The award was won in 2009 by Fenland Leisure Products of Christchurch, in 2010 by Chatteris-based independent retailer James Graven & Sons, in 2012 by Foster Property Maintenance, in 2011 and 2013 by Delamore Young Plants of Wisbech St Mary and last year by ALS Food and Pharmaceutical of Chatteris.

A Judges’ Award will also be presented to a business or individual who did not win a category, but the judges feel deserves recognition.

The awards are being run in association with Fenland District Council, a supporter of the awards since they were launched. The council also sponsors the Apprentice of the Year award.

Other category sponsors include Local Generation and Whiting & Partners, both of which have also supported the awards since 2009, Larkfleet Group and Leeds Day Solicitors.

Businesses and individuals shortlisted in the categories will be invited to the awards dinner, which will take place on Friday, October 9, at the Braza Club, in March.