Across ten categories, these dynamic new awards will reward the very best traders in the Cheltenham BID zone - the area of the town centre from the High Street, along The Promenade to Montpellier, and down to the Brewery Quarter

Great British Life: Cheltenham BIDCheltenham BID (Image: Archant)

It’s high time we celebrated the brilliant businesses which make Cheltenham town centre the lively, diverse area that it is.

The independent boutiques; the restaurants, pubs and cafes; the beauty salons; the professional services and the retail assistants who go the extra mile to make your shopping experience stress-free will all be recognised.

Across ten categories, these dynamic new awards will reward the very best traders in the Cheltenham BID zone - the area of the town centre from the High Street, along The Promenade to Montpellier, and down to the Brewery Quarter.

And we want your nominations.

Since its inception in August 2016, the board behind BID - Cheltenham’s Business Improvement District - has done a tremendous amount to raise the profile of the town as a retail and leisure destination.

Not only does it campaign to secure funding for major infrastructure projects including the £700,000 project to revamp the High Street - it has delivered scores of new initiatives from a map to promote tourism to updating the Christmas lights and launching a Cheltenham Gift Card.

Those who visit are lucky enough to enjoy the huge range of restaurants, bars and leisure outlets in the dazzling Brewery Quarter.

The Promenade must be one of the prettiest shopping streets in the whole of the UK.

Great British Life: Kevan Blackadder, Cheltenham BID Director (c) Andy HockridgeKevan Blackadder, Cheltenham BID Director (c) Andy Hockridge (Image: ANDY HOCKRIDGE)

The charming independent boutiques and salons of Montpellier, along with its quirky pubs, are a dream for visitors and residents alike - and who could fail to be excited about the opening of The Ivy?

And with the opening of the new John Lewis in the autumn on the site of the old Beechwood Shopping Centre, Cheltenham’s status as the county’s premier retail destination will surely be sealed.

Business & Professional has partnered with the board of Cheltenham BID, including Director Kevan Blackadder, to launch these prestigious new awards.

“It’s absolutely crucial that the people who shop, eat and drink in Cheltenham understand the work the BID is doing,” said Kevan.

“Partnering with Cotswold Life is a great way of making that connection.”

If you run a brilliant business in the BID zone and you’re proud of what you do, please help us tell the world about you by entering HERE.

And if you know a fantastic company - be it a hair salon, a cracking pub, a charming shop assistant or an estate agency - you can nominate them using the same link.

We’re so looking forward to celebrating all your incredible achievements, and putting Cheltenham firmly on the map.

What is Cheltenham BID?

Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID) was set up in August 2016 with the twin aims of attracting more people to our town and encouraging them to stay for longer.

BIDs are business-led and business-funded bodies set up to improve a defined area, with the money raised being spent on a range of projects.

The Cheltenham BID zone covers the High Street, Promenade, Montpellier and The Brewery Quarter.

The BID has pledged to deliver improvements in five key areas: marketing and promotion, town centre events, parking and accessibility, business support and public realm improvements.

Message from Cheltenham BID Director, Kevan Blackadder

We are delighted to launch the Cheltenham BID Awards in conjunction with Cotswold Life.

There are more than 600 businesses contributing to the BID and the awards will celebrate the great work they do.

We have landmark independent and national retailers, a fantastic mix of restaurants, pubs, bars, clubs and hotels, a wide range of health and beauty specialists and leading professional service businesses.

Throw in the Everyman Theatre, the Town Hall, The Wilson and the great leisure offerings in The Brewery Quarter and it’s clear how much Cheltenham has to offer.

These awards will, for the first time, mean that Cheltenham properly recognises its town centre businesses – and their staff.

Categories and criteria

1. Newcomer of the Year

Open to any independent or national business that has opened in Cheltenham in the 18 months to January 1st 2018.

Reasons for nomination could include unique selling points, innovative thinking in planning and management, strong potential for growth, work with the community, customer service, teamwork and sales performance.

2. Young Business Person of the Year

Open to any young business people under 30 on January 1st 2018.

Reasons for nomination could include a demonstration of ambition, energy, and skill and vision as well as tangible business success.

3. Retail Manager of the Year

Open to any independent or national retail manager.

Reasons for nomination could include evidence that the nominee has contributed to the success of the store through specific projects or initiatives, sales performance, customer satisfaction surveys and testimonials.

4. Health & Beauty Business of the Year

Open to any independent or national business.

Reasons for nomination could include evidence of how the business excels in their sector, awards, customer service, teamwork, original thinking and sales performance.

5. Independent Business of the Year

Open to any independent business.

Reasons for nomination could include evidence of how the business excels in their sector, awards, customer service, teamwork, original thinking and sales performance.

6. Professional Services Business of the Year

Open to any independent or national business

Reasons for nomination could include evidence of how the business excels in their sector, awards, customer service, teamwork, original thinking and sales performance.

7. Bar/Pub/Club of the Year

Open to any independent or national business

Reasons for nomination could include evidence of how the business excels in their sector, awards, customer service, teamwork and original thinking.

8. Restaurant of the Year

Open to any independent or national business

Reasons for nomination could include evidence of how the business excels in their sector, awards, customer service, teamwork and original thinking.

9. Customer Service Award

Open to any independent or national business

Reasons for nomination could include in-depth knowledge of the products or services by staff, understanding the needs of the customer and providing an exceptional experience that encourages customers to revisit.

10. Lifetime Achievement Award

Open to any person who has made a significant contribution to Cheltenham

Reasons for nomination should include the significant contributions they have made to Cheltenham and the positive outcome they have achieved.

Nominate businesses you believe deserve recognition here.

Nominations close on March 2, 2018. Each winner will be invited to a celebratory drinks reception.