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2026 Business Award Categories
Sole Trader
Recognising an outstanding sole trader whose passion, grit, and dedication have driven remarkable business success.
Celebrating the individuals who are the heartbeat of our local economy. This award is for the one-person business that punches above its weight, delivering results through dedication, skill and sheer determination.
The judges are looking for a ‘powerhouse’ of one who has successfully navigated the challenges of the market, maintained high standards of customer excellence and shown a clear vision for the future of their brand.
Don’t let the size of your team (of one!) Hold you back…this is your moment to shine!
CRITERIA: Must have been trading for a minimum of 1 year and demonstrate business achieved within the Brentwood Borough.
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Hospitality
This Category is for those SME organisations in the hospitality sector including, restaurants, bars, cafés or any other businesses or venues serving food and drink to the public.
The award recognises the stars of the service industry who go above and beyond and who marries operational excellence with a genuine passion for people and service.
Beyond the numbers, the judges are looking for that feeling of being at home or truly looked after.
CRITERIA: Must be located within the Brentwood Borough and have between 2-20 employees.
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High Street Impact
This award will recognise any business, team or individual that can demonstrate a significant positive impact in making one or more of our 3 high streets (Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone) more vibrant, welcoming, safe or sustainable.
CRITERIA: Must be located within Brentwood, Shenfield or Ingatestone
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Customer Service
This Award will recognise businesses and organisations striving to exceed customer expectations on a daily basis.
Honouring those who have turned service into a science and empathy into a competitive advantage.
The judges will be looking for true champions of service and will look beyond friendly smiles.
CRITERIA: Must be located within the Brentwood Borough
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Charity Worker
Honouring an individual who has shown exceptional dedication, compassion, and impact in their charitable work, going above and beyond to support communities and drive meaningful change.
The individual can be either a paid staff member or a dedicated volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional commitment and impact within the non-profit sector.
This award recognises the un-sung hero whose personal leadership and tireless efforts drive meaningful change in the community.
CRTIERIA: Must work / volunteer within the Brentwood Borough
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Community Engagement
This award will give recognition to community interest companies whose voluntary and inspiring work underpins many vital but unacknowledged aspects of life giving a positive impact in our community
The judges will recognise individuals, groups or organisations that go above and beyond to build meaningful connections and create a positive social impact within their local or wider community.
CRITERIA: Must engage within the Brentwood Borough
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Business Person of the Year
This Award will acknowledge an individual who has achieved significant success in their for-profit or non-profit organisation during the past 18 months.
Judges will look at the individual’s vision, leadership and personal contribution to success alongside their entrepreneurial vision, determination which drives their organisation forward.
CRITERIA: Must do business within the Brentwood Borough and have been trading /employed for the past 18 months
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Employer of the Year
This Award will celebrate organisations who value their employees by creating a positive, inclusive environment that attracts, retains and develops talent within the workplace.
Unlike individual awards, this focusses on the company culture, investment in people and the overall employee experience highlighting that looking after staff is a priority.
CRITERIA: Must have been trading for a minimum of 2 years and be located within the Brentwood Borough
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The People’s Choice
The People’s Choice Award is to celebrate the outstanding contribution, commitment and added value that our Brentwood borough-based businesses (Shenfield, Ingatestone and Brentwood) bring to our community.
VOTING OPEN IN JULY
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