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Awards open to South Tyneside businesses

South Tyneside businesses are being urged to get online and register for this year’s STEP business awards. The South Tyneside Enterprise Partnership Awards (STEP) recognise business excellence across a range of categories including manufacturing, customer service, training and the environment. This year’s event will be the 11th STEP Awards and organisers are hoping to attract as many businesses as possible from the South Tyneside area.

STEP Chairman Geoff Ford launched the awards last week with two of last year’s winners - John Short of Harlow Printing, winner of the Environmental Awards and Business of the Year and Naomi Hill, of Bottled and Boxed, winner of the Customer Services in Excellence award.

Geoff said: “We are going into our second decade now and the STEP Awards are getting bigger and better all of the time. “Last year we had an array of winners all of whom have since benefited greatly. Not only does each category winner come away with a cheque for £1,000, the company’s profile is raised massively and they are seen as a credible business by potential customers.

“All I can say to our business owners out there is to get your entry in. You have nothing to lose and plenty to gain.”

Business of the Year in 2007 was Harlow Printing. Marketing Director John Short said: “We have won a few business awards over the years but this is by far the biggest accolade we have ever received. “We believe strongly in putting something back into our community and our environment and to be recognised for that meant so much. I am so glad we entered, the award has pride of place in our board-room now.”

Entry forms can be found online at www.stepbusinessawards.co.uk. Each category winner receives a cheque for £1,000 while the overall winner also picks up a £2,500 prize. The deadline for entries is 30 May 2008.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .