Businesses are reminded that they have until noon on Monday, October 16 to enter the Spirit of Enterprise Awards 2017, the most prestigious annual celebration of business excellence in the Great Yarmouth borough.

The annual awards scheme is organised by enterpriseGY, Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s business support service, and marks its 10th anniversary with the introduction of a special Business of the Decade Award.

The awards has nine categories covering a range of areas, the winners of which will be considered for the sought-after title of 2017 Business of the Year by overall award sponsor Stephenson Smart, chartered accountants and business advisors, who will choose the winner.

In addition, the stand-alone Business of the Decade Award is open to all businesses in the borough – large or small – regardless of whether they have entered the competition before. It is sponsored by facilities management and services group Norse, GYB Services and GYN Asset Management Services.

Time is running out to enter, as businesses only have until noon on Monday, October 16 to put themselves forward for the various categories. The awards are free-of-charge to enter online at www.spiritofenterpriseawards.co.uk and finalists will be profiled in a supplement in the Great Yarmouth Mercury, with winners appearing in a further supplement.

The finalists and winners will be showcased in the press and at a glittering awards ceremony and gala dinner at the Town Hall on Friday, November 17. The media sponsors are the Great Yarmouth Mercury and The Beach.

Each award is backed by a local organisation. Sponsors choose the winner in their category from three finalists shortlisted by a local independent panel or by the category sponsor themselves.

The categories and sponsors are:

Great Manufacturing/Engineering – sponsored by Goodchild Marine

Great New Business – sponsored by Noritake Itron

Great Business Growth – sponsored by Bateman Groundworks

Great Business Idea – sponsored by Seahorse Guest House

Great Customer Services – sponsored by Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area Ltd (GYTABIA)

Great Family Owned Business – sponsored by Birketts

Great International Growth – sponsored by Pasta Foods

Great Investment in People – sponsored by P&S Personnel

Great Community Contribution – sponsored by Potters Friends Foundation

Overall award and sponsor: Business of the Year – sponsored by Stephenson Smart

Anniversary award and sponsor: Business of the Decade – sponsored by Norse, GYB Services and GYN Asset Management Services

The Spirit of Enterprise Awards help to highlight the borough’s many and varied successful businesses, supporting one of the council’s priorities, which is to work with partners to help champion and enable economic growth and job-creation in the area.

In a joint statement, the council’s political group leaders, Cllr Graham Plant, Cllr Kay Grey, Cllr Trevor Wainwright and Cllr Adrian Myers, said: “This awards scheme, now in its milestone 10th year, is another way that the council is supporting the local economy, boosting investor confidence by highlighting brilliant businesses of all sizes, sectors and ages from across the borough.

“We always have great feedback, with past winners saying the recognition has helped to boost staff morale, their profile and their reputation with customers. This is a fantastic opportunity and a great celebration of business excellence that has only been made possible thanks to the sponsors.

“It is completely free-of-charge to enter – and this year we are accepting video entries. So if you think you could win a category or be our 2017 Business of the Year, or even the Business of the Decade, please make sure you submit the entry form by noon on Monday, October 16.”

This year, help and advice with entries is available from TMS Media, which is working in partnership with enterpriseGY, by calling Steve Scott or Rachel Moore on 01493 662929.