The Dorchester and Poundbury Business Awards are now open for entries.

The 2022 awards, hosted by Marketing West, were officially launched at Pavilion in the Park on Poundbury's Great Field, and local businesses can now enter a range of categories for free.

Categories include:

• Best Place to Work
• Best Use of Innovation
• Café, Pub, Casual Dining
• Excellence in Customer Service
• Family Business of the Year
• Green/Eco-Business of the Year
• Health, Beauty and Fitness
• Independent Business of the Year
• Local Artisans and Produce
• New Business of the Year
• Outstanding Community Support
• Professional Services Business
• Retail Business of the Year
• Young Entrepreneur/Rising Star
• Overall Business of the Year

The awards aim to promote the range and quality of local businesses.

Nigel Reeve, of Marketing West, said: "Entries opened on the same day as the launch event and have started coming in already.

"The 2021 awards had over 90 entries and this time we're aiming to beat that. I've predicted the number we will have, written it in an envelope, sealed it and locked it away. It will be opened at the April awards ceremony in front of the attendees and those watching the live streaming. Let's see how close I am."

Entries close on Friday, February 4.

For more information and to enter, visit dandpbusinessawards.co.uk

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