Business the Brighton way

Created by a local business for local businesses, the Brighton and Hove Business Awards are quite literally the best way for a company in Brighton to test itself.

Now in their eleventh year, the BAHBAs are firmly established as the city’s premier business awards scheme and offer the chance for local businesses to see how far they’ve come, whether they’re a brand new start-up, a company just about to reach new heights or a thriving corporation with many clients and many years of business.

Now the awards are back for 2016 and businesses have until June 29 to submit up to three entries.

Previous winners have included a mix of start-ups and sole traders, in addition to some of the city’s largest and most influential organisations, including Duke of York’s, Infinity Foods, The Grand Brighton, The Gingerman Restaurant Group, Brighton Pride, Brighton Festival and Sussex University.

The benefits of claiming a BAHBA reach far beyond the trophy as Fiona Martin, Director and Head of Employment Law at Martin Searle, explains, “We know first-hand the benefits of winning a BAHBA, after we scooped an award for Business in the Community when newly founded. This significantly helped boost our profile. The BAHBAs take out the ‘pomp and circumstances’ of many business awards and celebrate the local business community by injecting a lot of fun into the proceedings.”

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Sponsors for 2016’s event include Allied Irish Bank, Cardens Accountants, City Cabs, Dental Health Spa, Gatwick Airport, Gemini Print, Graves Jenkins, Martin Searle Solicitors, RBS, Robinson Low Francis, TSS and Yelo Architects.

After sponsoring the BAHBAs for the last three years Phil Graves, of Graves Jenkins, is in no doubt about its potential to help grow a business, “We are extremely proud to once again support and sponsor the BAHBAs.  They are very Brighton – endorsing the success of the city, its diversity and entrepreneurial spirit – and at the same time recognising what makes the city stand out over many others. I’m a lifetime Brightonian and as a business we try to invest in the city through our business connections and the BAHBAs undertake the same. It’s an obvious partnership and an event which betters itself year on year.“

A new sponsor for 2016 is Dental Health Spa and founder, Christina Chatfield, explains why she had to get involved, “As a previous winner, we want to support fellow businesses on the high street. We are aware that consumers want to know that their local businesses are providing excellent value for money and a service to rival larger corporate firms.”

Supporters also include the Brighton and Hove City Council, Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival, Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce, Brighton Curry Club, Juice 107.2FM, Tourism Alliance and of course, Title Sussex Magazine! In our second year as media sponsors we know first hand just how crucial the awards are, not only to a company’s outwards appearance but also to teams as a whole, as well as for helping to build the Brighton brand.

We spoke to Chris Langley of RBS, sponsors of this year’s event, who explained why they are getting involved, “At RBS we pride ourselves on understanding the needs of local businesses and in operating in our local markets. Our support for these awards is just one way RBS reinforces its commitment to these businesses.”

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The judges will be looking for companies and organisations that really capture the spirit of Brighton and Hove and to view this year’s categories and submit an entry, head online to www.bahba.co.uk

Businesses can enter up to three categories and the deadline for submissions is Wednesday 29 June at 17:00.

About Daniel White
Dan has written numerous articles for Title Sussex. He no longer works for Title Media and has made a confident career in the world of coffee!