A new search is being launched this year to find the ‘Scottish Borders Favourite Business’ – and everyone is invited to cast their vote.
Four awards are to be presented to winners in each of the region’s former districts – Berwickshire, Roxburghshire, Ettrick and Lauderdale, and Tweeddale – and that quartet will then compete for the overall title of ‘Borders Favourite Business 2024’. The award is being launched by the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce as part of its annual Scottish Borders Business Excellence Awards (SBBEA) event, at Peebles Hydro Hotel on 30 August this year, which shines the light on local businesses.
A series of awards will be presented that recognise excellence in food and drink, hospitality, innovation, technology and manufacturing. There are three Scottish Borders’ ‘Business of the Year’ trophies covering small and medium-sized firms, and businesses will also be nominated for their efforts in developing the young workforce, fair work and net zero targets, and a ‘Young Business Person of the Year’ will also be recognised.
SBCC Chairman Trevor Jackson explained: “It is always a great celebration, and we wanted to find a way this year to bring the local communities and their views into the awards process.”
“This isn’t about trying to sell tickets – what we’re trying to do is tap into the businesses who go above and beyond to serve the Borders people. How they do that and what that actually means to people is entirely up to the public who vote for this new award to decide. They may opt for a business that has shown exceptional quality, perhaps delivered quicker than expected, or maybe it’s just a very friendly service that makes people come back time and again. What makes a ‘favourite’ business? We want people to tell us.”
“There are many qualities that make a business someone’s favourite and this award is about recognising that, and those who really connect with their customers and the Borders community.”
The Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce has re-launched this year after securing new investment from the Scottish and UK Governments, Scottish Borders Council and Scottish Enterprise, which is being invested in staff and a new, enhanced support service for Borders small and medium enterprises. The awards are a fundamental part of inspiring and motivating local people, according to Mr Jackson, by recognising and celebrating Borders firms in a challenging economic climate.
“There is no doubt that many, many businesses in this area have suffered since the Covid pandemic,” he added, “with rising energy costs, cost of living and challenges from Brexit. These awards celebrate those businesses who have shown resilience and are building the future.”
“The Chamber has been revitalised, we’ve secured fresh funding and we’re working hard to re-establish and articulate our vision for the Chamber network that enables Scottish Borders businesses to support each other, and also widen our visibility on national and international stages and ensure the Scottish Borders voice is respected.”
“And for us that starts with the people of the Scottish Borders, of all ages, who work for our local businesses and support them as customers. We are really looking forward to the awards night in Peebles, and we hope the new award will generate some excitement across the Borders and helps us shine the spotlight on businesses who perhaps are rarely heard of but who are a real ‘favourite’ of local people.”
To nominate a local business for the ‘Borders Favourite Business’ Award, you can find the details on the SBCC website borderschamber.com/sbbea-awards You can choose one business or several, and they will be placed into the area in which they are based with the district winners announced in early August. The overall winner will be revealed at Peebles Hydro Hotel on 30 August.
