This year could be your time to shine with the Brighton & Hove Biz Awards

Best Independent Retailer 2016 - Small Batch Coffee Julia Claxton Best Independent Retailer 2016 - Small Batch Coffee. Photo ©Julia Claxton

The Brighton and Hove Business Awards (BAHBAs) are now open for business. 2017 marks the twelfth year of the now infamous BAHBAs which (apart from being an amazing awards night that you have to fight to get tickets for) honours local business talent and success in Brighton and Hove. And once again we are proud to be media sponsors for this excellent scheme.

If you don’t think you’re in with a chance, think again. Previous winners have included a mix of start-ups and sole traders from a broad range of business sectors, in addition to some of the city’s largest and most influential organisations, and the winners alumni line-up includes Duke of York’s, Small Batch Coffee, Brighton Gin, Infinity Foods, Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, The Grand Brighton, Brighton Pride, The Big Lemon, The Gingerman Restaurant Group, BrightonandHoveJobs.com, Dental Health Spa, Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival, American Express Community Stadium, Brighton Festival and Sussex University – and many more! So you see, anyone can enter.

BAHBAs winners 2016 - photo ©Julia Claxton

BAHBAs winners 2016 – photo ©Julia Claxton

New sponsors this year include The University of Brighton, Red7, Healys, Churchill Square and NatWest who join City Cabs, Yelo Architects, Graves Jenkins, Chamber of Commerce, Cardens, Martin Searle and RLF.

The awards are also supported by the Big Lemon, B&H Chamber of Commerce, Gemini Print, Brighton Business Curry Club, Brighton & Hove City Council and Brighton & Hove Tourism Alliance. Also Juice 107.2 FM, Platinum Business and of course Title Sussex join The Argus as media sponsors.

CELEBRATING BUSINESSES
“Successful cities rely on flourishing businesses to help grow the local economy, and Brighton & Hove is home to an enviable range of enterprises. The BAHBAs are a great way of recognising and rewarding the hard work that our city’s businesses put in and an ideal platform to highlight and celebrate their success.” Nick Hibberd, Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture, Brighton & Hove City Council.

GREEN AWARD
Lorraine Bell, Business Support Manager at the University of Brighton’s Green Growth Platform and sponsor of the Green Award said: “The University of Brighton’s Green Growth Platform’s strategy is to help low carbon and environmental businesses to grow, build connections and collaborations, and create new opportunities to embed green products and services into the local economy. This award will champion and celebrate leading players, who can inspire others to go green.”

BEST INDEPENDENT RETAILER
New sponsor Mark Buchanan-Smith Centre Director at Churchill Square commented: “While Churchill Square is home to many retail favourites, it is important to us to support local independents, who play a significant and integral part in Brighton’s community.”

FASTEST GROWING BUSINESS
Danielle Plowman, founder of Ellie Ellie, the winner of the Fastest Growing Business at last year’s event said, “After winning our award last year we’ve gained increased exposure in the press, both nationally and internationally. This has helped us go from a team of nine to 17 in a year, as well as experiencing a business growth of almost double during peak Christmas trading. We’ve just moved our office into larger premises and we are planning to make the big move into a warehouse this year!” Commenting on their sponsorship, Gary Chown Director Commercial Banking East Sussex at NatWest said, “Nat West is delighted to have the opportunity to put its support behind the BAHBAs. We are committed to the UK SME market place and it is important to champion the tremendous range and quality of entrepreneurs and SMEs that we have in Brighton and Hove.”Brighton & Hove Business Awards

OUTSTANDING BRIGHTONIAN
“In 2016 I was voted the ‘Outstanding Brightonian’ by the BAHBAs judges. When I heard my name called out I couldn’t believe it and was not at all prepared for speaking in front of the 300 strong audience! Winning the award was a highlight of last year and definitely good for business.”
Sarah Springford, Director of Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce.

Get entering! www.bahba.co.uk

 

2017 Categories and Sponsors

The Award for Business in the Community
Sponsor – City Cabs

Hospitality, Leisure & Tourism
Sponsor – Red7

The Best Event in the City
Sponsor – Juice 107.2

The Best New Kids on the Block
Sponsor – Healys

The Award for Best Customer Service
Sponsor – Yelo Architects

The Best Place to Work
Sponsor – Graves Jenkins

The Green Business Award
Sponsor – The University of Brighton

The Award for Business Beyond the City
Sponsor – Chamber of Commerce

The Award for Best Independent Retailer
Sponsor – Churchill Square

The Creative Industries Award
Sponsor – Martin Searle Solicitors

The Professional Services Award
Sponsor – Cardens Accountants

The Managing Director of the Year
Sponsor – Robinson Low Francis

The Fastest Growing Business Award
Sponsor – NatWest

The Best Business in Brighton Award
Sponsor – The Argus

Outstanding Brightonian
Sponsor – MDHUB

About Charlotte Horlock
As a production assistant Charlotte provides extensive support, from the magazines to our websites and client work. She's multi-talented, working on design, editorial, content copy and production. We hope she never leaves us