Award Categories


Young Inspirational Adult of the Year Award

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Tell us about a young person ((aged up to 20 years) whose actions have made you proud and given you real hope for the future.

Creative Innovation of the Year Award

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This award will celebrate originality and creativity in a variety of different forms. Could include, but is not limited to, creative marketing, advertising, in-store branding or digital marketing activity, Or using creativity to implement new sales techniques or business practices, processes or products, which enhance the success of the business.

Ambassador Award

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An exceptional business chosen by the Editor.

Cafe/Bar of the Year Award

This award will focus entirely on café/bars and what they offer.  Judges will be looking for places which do their own thing, a tranquil place or the place to be seen.  This could include live music offering bespoke dishes, with a slick, well-drilled operation. Scrumptiousness rules the roost here. You might go to escape the office for a while, catch up with friends over a coffee or a glass of wine.

Retailer of the Year

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This award will recognise any retailer, large or small, independent or national, that is making a big noise in the retail world! Branches of national companies should enter as a store. The judges will be looking for evidence of what sets a retailer apart from its competition, either in terms of its achievements, best practice, or success. Examples of evidence to support the application can include sales performance, internal awards, team development, achievement of key performance indicators and customer feedback.

Manager of the Year

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This award will recognise an imaginative and creative manager whose individual contribution to the success of a business includes valuing and investing in their employees. The judges will look for evidence of what the manager has done that is outstanding for the benefit and wellbeing of their team. Evidence to support the nomination can include team development, coaching and mentoring, achievement of key performance indicators, sales performance, and how the individual makes the company a wonderful place to work. Nominations are welcome from any member of a team /company.

Restaurant/Pub of the Year

This award will recognise the business that puts their restaurant/Pub in the forefront of their industry for its outstanding service, cuisine and congenial surroundings. The judges will be looking for evidence of excellence in service and presentation, backed by testimonials (judges will accept evidence from review sites such as TripAdvisor), evidence of how the business caters for people with different/special dietary requirements, and any unique or outstanding elements of the business. 

Health & Wellbeing of the Year

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This award will recognise the Health or Fitness Centre that best demonstrates great results for its members. Judges will give consideration to positive and motivational ambience provided by knowledgeable staff, comprehensive programme of events, competitions, opportunities to socialise with like-minded members, plus well maintained equipment and proven results.

Tourism/Visitor Attraction of the Year

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This award will recognise any business that puts the area on the map as a wonderful place to live and visit. The judges will be looking for evidence of the contribution of the venue in attracting visitors to the area, as well as catering for local people, and its excellence within the leisure industry. Examples of evidence to support the application can include footfall information, geographic catchment of customer base, visitor number growth, awards won and customer feedback.

Business Support Services Award

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This award will recognise a commercial enterprise that provides work performed in an expert manner by an individual or team for the benefit of its customers or clients. This includes products or services, such as accounting, banking, consultancy, cleaning, landscaping, insurance, treatment, and transportation services.

Shop Front of the Year Award

This award will celebrate innovation, design, creativity and robust branding, as well as appropriate illumination and striking visual impact of an effective shop front, which also enjoys synergy with the surroundings and environs!

Lifetime Achievement Award

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A person who has been active in the business community for 25 years or above.  Has shown outstanding leadership characteristics throughout their career and has inspired and developed others to achieve similar success. Has achieved business excellence, evidenced through their business’s profitability, competitive advantage, innovation, flexibility and customer service.  Has demonstrated a strong connection to the economy and communities of Lancaster and Morecambe.  

Hair/Beauty Salon of the Year Award

This award will recognise any business delivering excellence in the hairdressing and beauty sector. The judges will be looking for evidence of excellence in service and presentation, backed by testimonials from customers and the industry in general, evidence of pioneering new trends and practices, catering for customer needs across a broad spectrum and excellence in niche areas.

Care Sector Business of the Year Award

This award will recognise any individual, business or team who provide that little extra to make the lives of the patients in their care a little bit more special. Nominations can be received from either the voluntary or the paid-for healthcare sector in care homes, hospitals or private homes.