AWARD CATEGORIES
Customer Service Excellence Award
We are looking for independently owned businesses who can demonstrate that they go above and beyond in pursuit of outstanding customer service. Judges will be looking for evidence of excellent standards that create the perfect experience for their customers.
Best New Business Award
Open to new businesses who have been trading since 1 January 2024 and who can demonstrate development of strong customer base and show plans for robust growth and improvement for the future.
Best Company to Work For Award
We are looking for businesses that support their employees through placing importance on staff welfare and engagement. This award celebrates employers who use everything within their power to create a collaborative and engaging working environment that is quite simply a great place to work.
Best Employee Award
This is your chance to recognise that employee who goes above and beyond for the business. The award is aimed at celebrating an employee who is exceptional and with a keen focus on collaboration with colleagues for the benefit of the business and its customers.
Business Growth Award
(under 10 employees)
Open to businesses with less than 10 employees that can demonstrate how they have achieved identifiable results and business development through such measures as performance against targets, growth of repeat business or new business, job creation and adoption of new products or technologies.
Business Growth Award
(over 10 employees)
Open to businesses with more than 10 employees that can demonstrate how they have achieved identifiable results and business development through such measures as performance against targets, growth of repeat business or new business, job creation and adoption of new products or technologies.
Best Creative Business
This award is open to businesses operating within the region that demonstrate outstanding creativity, originality, and innovation in their products, services, or business practices. Entrants should clearly show how creativity is embedded at the core of their business, whether through design, branding, content, craftsmanship, problem-solving, or the creative use of technology.
Best Family Business
Open to Ards based family businesses that have at least two generations working in the business. Entrants must explain their business, the family roles and their plans for succession to ensure the continuation of the business.
Contribution to the Local Community
We are looking for businesses/ individuals/ clubs who can demonstrate through their commitment to local community initiatives that they value the community around them and place its wellbeing at the forefront of their business.
Outstanding Independent Retailer of The Year
Open to independently owned retail stores in the area. Businesses will need to demonstrate how they provide an experience to shoppers that delivers on exceptional service, quality, choice and creativity.
Best Licensed Premises
This award celebrates licensed venues like hotels, restaurants, pubs, and cafes that stand out for top-notch service, a great vibe, and an irresistible menu of food and/or drinks tailored to their customers.
Best Non-Licensed Premises
Open to applications from non-licensed food establishments, including coffee shops, cafes, sandwich bars, and fast-food outlets in the area. Judges will seek a business that excels in customer service, creates an inviting atmosphere, and offers a tempting variety of food tailored to meet the needs of its customers.
Excellence in Hair & Beauty
This award recognises outstanding hair and beauty businesses that deliver exceptional customer service, create a welcoming and relaxing environment, and offer a wide range of treatments perfectly tailored to their clients' needs.
Best Tourism Provider
This award celebrates the best of the Ards Peninsula tourism businesses in the private sector and the talented individuals behind them. It recognises the outstanding contribution of local tourism operators in attracting visitors to the area. This award category is open to all hotels, guesthouses, bed & breakfasts, parks, leisure complexes, museums, galleries, outdoor activity groups and any other facility that attracts tourists to the area.
Sports & Wellness Business Award
The Sports & Wellness Award celebrates businesses, organisations, and individuals who are making a positive impact on physical and mental wellbeing across the Ards and the Peninsula. From fitness providers to wellbeing advocates, this category recognises those helping our community stay active, healthy, and thriving.
Purpose Driven Organisation of the Year
The Charity & Social Enterprise Award recognises organisations making a meaningful difference in our community. It celebrates those driven by purpose, delivering positive social impact, and creating lasting change through innovation, compassion, and commitment.
The Responsible Business Award
The Responsible Business Award celebrates businesses that are doing the right thing - for the environment, their community, and future generations. It recognises those embedding sustainable practices into their operations and leading by example.
Business of The Year
This category is not open for entries, as the winner will be picked from the 14 category winners as the Ards Peninsula Business of the Year 2026.
Lifetime Achievement Award
This special award will recognise an individual who has made a meaningful and lasting contribution to their own business or industry, as well as to the wider Newtownards business community and local economy.