THE search is on for the 2015 South Wilts Business of The Year.

Now in their 15th year of celebrating business success, the Federation of Small Businesses in partnership with Salisbury and District Chamber of Commerce are looking for the best the area has to offer.

Entries will be accepted from the date of the launch event on Thursday, March 12 at 6pm in the Refectory Restaurant at Salisbury Cathedral.

For 2015 there are 12 awards up for grabs along with a promotional prize package worth over £12,000.

There were more than 130 entries last year.

The event will culminate in the free to attend, glittering South Wilts Business Of The Year ‘Oscars’ being presented on Thursday, June 25 at Salisbury Cathedral.

This year Salisbury Newspapers will be the Media Partner and sponsors of one of the prizes.

Publisher Bill Browne said: “It’s going to be the business event of the year and I am so thrilled we are going to be a part of it.”

The 12 awards are:

  • Salisbury Journal Independent Retailer
  • Sandy Balls Holiday Park Hospitality and Tourism
  • Spire FM New Business
  • The FSB Business for companies with more than £150,000 and under £500,000 turnover
  • Wiltshire Enterprise Apprentice Employer
  • Elite Care Micro Business for companies with less than £150,000 turnover
  • An XAgency Marketing Excellence
  • St Thomas’s Church Young Entrepreneur
  • Enterprising Woman in Business
  • Moore Stephens for companies with more than £500,000 and less than £5m turnover)
  • Wessex Fire and Security Excellence in Customer Service
  • Barclays Bank (more than £5m turnover) Business

You will find all the information you need is at swboyawards.co.uk.

It’s simple and free to enter, you will find on the web site: a video guiding you through the entry and judging process, a video message from each of the judges, comments from previous winners and a simple to complete entry form.

Entries must be submitted by 5pm on Friday, April 24.

George Trytsman from the Salisbury branch of the Federation of Small Businesses said: “We are delighted to welcome a number of additional partners and sponsors to this year’s event, in particular Salisbury and District Chamber of Commerce who, for the first time ever, are coming on board as our partners, together with some new sponsors including Wessex Fire and Security and The Enterprise Network.”

Every entrant will receive a personal visit from one of the judging panel.

Ceri Hurford-Jones, managing director of Spire FM and chairman of the judging panel, said: “These awards will once again show what a truly vibrant and highly successful business community we have in South Wiltshire.”