Havant Small Business Awards 2016

Photo: Alan Mak MP launches the first-ever Havant Small Business Awards with Enterprise Society students at South Downs College

A strong local economy is Alan's top priority as our local MP. That means more jobs, rising living standards, growing investment and successful local businesses.

Small businesses across the Havant constituency are the backbone of our local economy. Having worked in his own family's small business on a busy high street, started his own small business, and invested in small businesses, Alan knows how much hard work goes into making each small business successful.

Alan launched the Awards with students from the Enterprise Society at South Downs College in his constituency. Many of these students want to start or work in a small business, and Alan felt he should use the Awards launch to engage the next generation of small business owners.

The Havant constituency consists of: Havant Town, Emsworth, Hayling Island, Bedhampton, Langstone, Purbrook, Stakes, Widley and Leigh Park.

Any small business or individual based in any of these areas can be nominated. The Awards cover ALL these areas, NOT just Havant town centre.

How to Nominate

Residents are invited to nominate their local favourites in 12 categories online by clicking here. Whether it's a favourite cafe, pub or restaurant, a tradesman who has gone the extra mile, or a local business leader or apprentice who has inspired you, we welcome your nominations. The 12 categories are listed below. Additionally, there will be an overall winner, who will be crowned Havant Small Business of the Year 2016.

Nomination link (opens a Google form, where residents should enter the information requested): http://goo.gl/forms/dSpSc6NCj5

Nominations must be received by 12PM midnight on Friday 1 April 2016. Nominations can only be made using the online form, and not by any other method.

Judging & Awards Ceremony

The top 3 businesses or individuals (as applicable), by number of nominations, in each category will be shortlisted as finalists in that category. Then, an independent judging panel composed of local figures will decide the winning small business or individual in each category. Alan Mak MP is not involved in any aspect of the shortlisting or judging process.

All those nominated, plus the shortlisted finalists and the winners, will be invited to an awards ceremony in April 2016 at South Downs College where the winner of each category will be presented with an award and a certificate. All runners up and nominees will also be awarded a certificate.The overall Havant Small Business of the Year 2016 Award winner will be invited to a lunch with Alan at the House of Commons in Westminster. 

Award Categories 2016

Residents are invited to nominate their local favourites in the following 12 categories:

1.       Best Pub

2.       Best Family Business

3.       Best Takeaway

4.       Best Street Vendor

5.       Best Home-based Business

6.       Best Cafe

7.       Best Restaurant

8.       Best New Business

9.       Best Local Tradesman

10.    Greatest Contribution to the Community

11.    Personality of the Year 2016

12.    Apprentice of the Year 2016

Additionally, one small business from amongst the winners will be crowned as Havant Small Business of the Year 2016.

Sponsors & Supporters

Alan Mak MP is grateful to the following organisations for their generous support or sponsorship for the Havant Small Business Awards 2016:

South Downs College, Portsmouth News, Postcode Publications, Hayling Print, Fasset

Definition of a "Small Business"

These Awards are designed to recognise local "small businesses" across the Havant constituency, and those that lead or work for them. The 12 categories chosen for the Awards reflect this, and many of them inherently presuppose a small business.

If residents need further guidance, then any business that meets ANY of the following criteria, based on thresholds reflected in the Companies Act 2006, will NOT be deemed a small business, and therefore should not be nominated, and if nominated will not be considered. 

  

  • Has a turnover in excess of £6.5M (in relation to its local site or branch), or 

  • a balance sheet of more than £3.26M (in relation to its local site or branch) , or

  • more than 50 full-time employees (at its local site or branch) 

 

Questions

Please contact Alan by e-mail: [email protected]