COMPANY success across Hambleton is to be celebrated once more this summer – at the district’s annual business awards.

Nominations for the district council’s event open later this month to showcase companies in the area and celebrate their achievements.

Council leader Mark Robson said Hambleton was keen to encourage business and that was why the awards had been established last year.

He added: “Through these awards we can tell everyone who our businesses are and how much they contribute to the area. Taking time to recognise and reward the individuals who run these companies and work within them is important to us."

“We had a really high standard of nominations last year – and we hope to see some new faces added to the list in 2015.

Cllr Robson urged residents and businesses to nominate local businesses – or individuals within a business – that they rated highly and thought worthy of recognition.”

An awards ceremony will be held the council offices on Thursday, July 9.

The categories are. –

l Apprenticeship Champion: the business that is most supportive of apprenticeships.

l Community Contribution: the business contributing most back to the community.

l Local is best: the business most committed to employing local people or sourcing products and services locally.

l Innovation: the business demonstrating most innovation in marketing, design, manufacturing or performance of services – it could include the most advanced use of Superfast Broadband.

l Engaging Young Minds: the business most engaged with schools and education

l Hambleton Champion: the business which has championed Hambleton as a great place to do business

l Learning and development: the business which has best supported the training and development of its staff.

l Best dressed windows/displays: the business with the most impressive or attractive window or internal displays.

Event sponsors include the Federation of Small Businesses and Dales of Thirsk.

Anyone can make nominations, which open online on Monday(March 23) at hambleton.gov.uk/awards. Alternatively forms and more information are available from Julie Hutton on 01609 767186.