Your vote will decide Inverness awards winners
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Have you voted for your favourite shops, salon, café or business yet?
The first ever Inverness City Centre Business Awards are counting on your votes to decide the winners.
It’s your chance to make your voice heard and reward the businesses you like to visit which offer the best service, choice and value, or to honour the staff you think go the extra mile.
It’s the first-ever city centre awards – organised by the Inverness Business Improvement District (BID) in conjunction with the Inverness Courier.
Bid manager Mike Smith said: “It has been a phenomenal success so far, exceeding any of our expectations.
“As soon as the awards were announced, nominations started arriving thick and fast for businesses across every sector.
“We received more nominations than we ever expected and our independent panel of judges have whittled this down to 77.
“The public reaction has been equalled by the reaction from our city centre businesses.
“Independent and national retail outlets, the hospitality trade, salons, offices and banks have all taken to the concept and have been keen to get involved.
“It’s seen as particular honour as nominations come direct from the public – from genuine customers – so it’s valuable recognition.”
Winners will now also be chosen by the public in the second round of voting.
Mike Smith said: “More than 1600 people have sent in their favourite finalists so far and more than 6500 votes have been received over the seven categories.
“But we still have a couple of days left to go.
“Voting closes at midnight on Wednesday May 3.
“I would urge everyone to send in their forms to help find our winners.”
Every vote counts. Businesses receiving the most votes will be invited to an awards ceremony at the Mercure Inverness Hotel on Wednesday May 17 when the winner in each category will be announced.
Mike Smith said: “When we set up the awards we were particularly keen to highlight the variety of businesses and the quality of service offered in our city centre.
“These awards have succeeded in raising our city’s profile.”
David Bourn, editorial director of the Inverness Courier, said: “We’re delighted to support the search for the best businesses which make our city centre the place to be – for everyone living, working and visiting the area.
“As nominations came in, we were reminded of the sheer diversity in our city centre and the quality of the service these businesses provide.
“All finalists are remarkable in many ways. Some have shown outstanding growth in a short space of time. Others have stood the test of time over generations.
“They may offer quite different services, but they share a common focus on providing outstanding quality, choice, value for money and customer care.
“The awards have also shone a spotlight on businesses we may not have visited before.
“Nominations can be seen as a personal recommendation as they have been voted for by real customers. I’m personally looking forward to trying out some of the finalists that are new to me.”
To vote, complete the form printed in the Inverness Courier.
Forms can be dropped off at the Inverness Courier office, the Victorian Market or Eastgate Shopping Centre.
Forms can also be posted to Inverness City Centre Business Awards, Inverness Courier, New Century House, Stadium Road, Inverness IV1 1FG
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