VOTES are now open for the 2020 St Helens Borough Business Awards, celebrating 12 different categories.

The awards celebrate the many achievements of businesses and are now open for entries until midnight on Tuesday, June 28; with the ceremony taking place on Friday, September 30.

Businesses can enter the following categories:

• Apprentice of the Year

• Business Hero: Community Commitment Award (BCC: The Community Champion)

• Business Start Up of the Year

• Education & Business Partnership

• Employer of the Year (BCC: The Workforce Developer)

• Entrepreneur of the Year (BCC: The Game Changer)

• Export Business of the Year (BCC: The Global Player)

• Green Business of the Year (BCC: The Planet Saver)

• Small Business of the Year

• Social Business of the Year

• Student of the Year

• Scale Up Business of the Year (BCC: The Rapid Riser)

The Awards are open to businesses of all sizes and sectors and are free to enter.

Some of the categories also go forward to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) awards ceremony – giving local businesses the chance to gain further recognition on a national scale.

Tracy Mawson, Chief Executive at St Helens Chamber, said: “In what have been challenging times for businesses across the Region, we’ve seen some amazing success stories and have supported local businesses to grow and develop – and the awards provide the perfect place to celebrate this.

“We have added a new category to this year’s awards, Scale Up Business of the Year, which recognises those businesses who have grown and developed in the face of adversity. I would encourage all businesses to enter and join us in celebrating your success.”

Councillor David Baines, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: “The business community in St Helens Borough has demonstrated amazing resilience over the last few years and continues to go from strength to strength. We have thousands of outstanding businesses in the borough, from small independents to large multinationals, and it’s fantastic to have the opportunity to recognise and celebrate their amazing achievements at the St Helens Borough Business Awards.

"These awards will be shining a light on the talent, hard work and dedication of the St Helens workforce.

"The St Helens business community is a force to be reckoned with and as a council we’re determined to do all we can to help them go from strength to strength.”

The Awards ceremony will be held at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Friday, September 30.

Tickets are available at £60 +vat.

For more information about the awards and to enter visit sthelenschamber.com/business/st-helens-borough-business-awards.

For further information about remaining sponsorship opportunities call 01744 742028 or email events@sthelenschamber.com