The deadline for entries to the EADT Business Awards 2024 is fast approaching, but there’s still time to ensure your business can be in with a chance of being named one of the best in Suffolk.
Here, we find out more about some of this year’s categories and discover what the award wins have done for some of the previous winners.
Positive Impact in the Community
Looking beyond profit and business growth, the Positive Impact in the Community award recognises those businesses that have gone the extra mile to support the wider community.
Whether you have changed your products or services to help during a crisis, lent your team to assist where their skills are needed, or supported the community in some other way, this award offers you the chance to demonstrate the impact you have made and highlight the compassion and commitment of your team.
The winner of the Positive Impact in the Community award in 2023 was Sunrise Studios, a community production company based in Lowestoft and established by Joshua Freemantle when he was just 18 within the regional charity Access Community Trust.
Run by young people for young people, it offers media production services for local organisations, including visual/audio content, photography, events and websites. All profits generated are reinvested to provide opportunities within media production, music and the arts for under-25s.
“The award has helped improve our reputation and back up our successful track record in supporting young people in our communities,” said Joshua Freemantle in an interview with EADT at the end of last year.
“It’s inspired us to keep pushing ahead with the opportunities we offer to benefit under 25-year-olds across Lowestoft and our local community.”
Small Business of the Year
Demonstrating that small can definitely be mighty, businesses with a turnover up to £1 million can enter the Small Business of the Year category.
Local firms that can successfully demonstrate excellence across every aspect of their operations will be recognised in this category, with judging focusing specifically on trading performance, the competitive advantage of the business and future objectives.
Last year’s Small Business of the Year was The Suffolk Jungle Room. Founded in February 2022 by directors Sam Coe and Tony Prince, it runs two high-end cafés and house plant shops in Metfield, near Harleston, and Wissett, near Halesworth.
After a tough year in 2023, an experience that businesses across the county will have shared, The Suffolk Jungle Room’s managing director Sam Coe said that the award win provided “a much-needed confidence boost” for the business, when interviewed by the EADT in January.
“Being able to describe ourselves as ‘an award-winning café’ fills us and our staff with pride,” she said.
“I don’t think we ever realised how hard it was going to be, how stressful, but equally very rewarding when that hard work is recognised by something so prestigious as the EADT Business Awards.”
Start-up Business of the Year
Returning after several years absence from the EADT Business Awards, the Start-up Business of the Year category is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on inspirational newcomers to Suffolk’s business community.
This category is for businesses less than three years old at the application closing date, that can show the judges evidence of clear financial activity that has resulted in increased turnover, inward investment or acceleration towards the profit stage.
Being named Start-up Business of the Year could help your business take the next step in its growth journey, so be sure to get your entry in before the deadline to be in with a chance of being named the first Start-up of the Year in this new era of the EADT Business Awards!
The deadline for entries to the EADT Business Awards 2024 is this Sunday, March 17. Entry is completely free and only takes a couple of minutes. Find out more at eadtbusinessawards.co.uk
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