The Awards process

Stage 1 - Nominations

Nominations open Monday 9 September 2024 and we will be encouraging nominations from across the country. We want to hear about businesses that go the extra mile, who support their local economy and about people who are the unsung heroes in their community. The more we know about the business, the more it helps us when it comes to drawing up our Scottish, Welsh, Northern Ireland and English Finalists. Nominations will close on Sunday 8 December 2024.

Stage 2 – scottish, welsh and northern ireland finalists (english finalists to follow)

Once we close to nominations, we will read every one of them and draw up our list of Finalists in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, based on the information we have received from their loyal customers. These Finalists will be announced on Friday 20 December 2024.

Finalists in England will be announced in early February 2025.

Stage 3 – Vote for your scottish, welsh and northern ireland champions

Once we have announced our Finalists, we will go back out to the public and asking you to vote for your Champions. Online voting for Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Finalists will open in January 2025 and close in mid February.

Online voting for English Finalists will open in late February 2025 and close in April.

Stage 4 – scottish, welsh and northern ireland winners

We will announce our Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Champions in early spring of 2025 at Champions' Receptions held in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Those businesses who win the public vote will go forward to the national finals where they will be asked to complete a questionnaire about their business. This must be returned to us in April (dates to be confirmed) if they want to go through to the champions stage of judging. 

After this, our Champions just have to enjoy their title! The hard work will now begin for the judges (who write up briefs for our national judges), who meet to decide our National Champions.

Stage 5 – Champions’ Reception (House of lords, london)

Our Champions' Reception will take place at the House of Lords in London in the summer of 2025. Make sure to check back and follow us on social media closer to the time for more information.