THE BUTCHER, THE BAKER, THE CANDLESTICK MAKER.....

9th December 2007

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) invites entries for its British Small Business Champions (BSBC) Awards 2008, from thriving, well run small businesses, that are highly regarded by customers and staff.

Graham Barnard owner of the Happy Hutch Company based in Hull, BSBC 2007 northern area winner and national overall champion said:

"Entering BSBC is a good exercise for you and your business. It makes you focus on what is good about it and helps you identify any weaknesses. I hate forms, running a small business we have so many. The BSBC one was pretty straightforward. One of the biggest benefits of winning is being able to use the winner's emblem. It is a great selling aid and gives people more trust in your business. If we had not won we would have had another go in 2008."

Six area champions will be chosen across the UK. One from each of the six BSBC areas which are:-Southern; Central; Northern; Wales; Northern Ireland and Scotland. These businesses will then go forward for national judging with one of them being chosen the BSBC national champion.

To qualify businesses must have been established for at least five years and must not employ more than 50 people. Sole traders also qualify.

BSBC 2008 has two additional categories: Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Most Promising New Business, both sponsored by AIMS Accountants for Business. These have been chosen by the FSB to show its support and encouragement to the up and coming small businesses. Young Entrepreneurs must be 21 years of age or under at the time of entering. Most Promising New Business is for businesses that were started after 1 November 2006. Entries for these two categories will go straight to national judging.

As well as the prestige, pride, publicity, profile-raising of winning there are cash prizes. With £1,000 to spend to the benefit of their business for each area winner, the Young Entrepreneur and the Most Promising Business. The national champion's prizes will include £10,000 also to be spent to the benefit of their business.

The area winners will be announced at the awards evening for their BSBC area. Then, as national finalists, they will go to London for the national awards evening which will be held at Claridges.

The British Small Business Champions Awards were launched by the FSB in 2003 to celebrate and gain recognition for the UK's small businesses (there are 4.3 million of them.) BSBC is the only awards scheme solely for small businesses.

For full details about BSBC 2008 visit fsb.org.uk/bsbc, where an an entry form can be downloaded, or contact Judith Francis on 0207 592 8120 e-mail judith.francis[AT]fsb.org.uk. Please mention which award you are interested in:- national/area champion; Young Entreprenuer or Most Promising Small Business.

The closing date for entries is Friday 28 March 2008. It is free to enter and is not exclusive to FSB members.