Torbay Weekly Business Awards entry deadline extended

The deadline for entering this year's Torbay Weekly Naturally Inspiring Business Awards is being extended.

The original last time for entries was noon this Friday, but it has now been extended to midnight on Sunday May 28.

Torbay Weekly editor Jim Parker said: "We have had some good entries and lots of new names at that. We just felt that extending the deadline would give people some down time over the weekend to submit their entries.

"I have had interesting conversations from some people - established companies asking if they are too well established to enter and smaller companies asking if they are too small to enter! The awards are most definitely open to businesses of all shapes and sizes and whether they are one or 101 years old. They each have their own story to tell and celebrate so please enter - and don't leave it until the last minute!"

Last year's inaugural awards were dubbed a huge success and 2023 promises to bigger and better.

The gala evening and black tie finals night has already been booked for Thursday June 15 at Torquay's English Riviera International Conference Centre.

Last year's finals night was packed with surprises, joy, jubilation and emotion as Torbay's business community were able to celebrate success together for the first time since two years of Covid and lockdowns.

And that is exactly what the awards are all about - bringing people together, having some fun and celebrating what a great place Torbay is to live, work, visit and invest in.

We have a fantastic Torbay Story to tell, a story which reflects and recognises the people and the passion and pride they have in a place like the English Riviera - so well reflected in our awards.

It is why Torbay Council have agreed to again be the sponsors of the main Naturally Inspiring Overall Business of the Year Award - the champion of champions, the business with a story to tell and promote the Bay.

Over the coming weeks, we will be taking at look at our sponsors and categories - some of them new.

Here they are:

Overall Business of the Year - Torbay Council

Tourism Business of the Year - English Riviera BID Company

Small Business of the Year - Torbay Business Forum

New Business - Wollens

Employer of the Year - South Devon College

Award for Innovation - TDA

Commissioner's Business Community Champion Award - Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner

Environmental Business Award - Prydis

James Wright Award for Inspirational Leader - Majestic Holidays

Young Business Person of the Year Award - Inter-Line Building Supplies

Beverley Holidays had double reason to celebrate last year - they scooped two top awards at the 2022 Torbay Weekly Naturally Inspiring Business Awards.

The Paignton-based holiday park group overcame tough competition from a high calibre of companies to take the coveted Business Of The Year award, as well as being named Tourism Business Of The Year.

The glittering award ceremony celebrated the sheer grit and determination shown by the business fraternity in battling their way out of the tough economic times. Now we want to extend, drive forward and celebrate that fighting spirit.

Torbay Weekly editor Parker said: "Hand on heart, we didn't have a clue how the first awards would go but they turned out to be a great success. That was down to a lot of people, not least the businesses and individuals who entered and made it possible in the first place. Can we make it a repeat performance or even bigger and better? I sincerely hope so.

"You will find all the entry details and how to buy tickets for the gala night at https://form.jotform.com/230295914606054 "