The countdown is under way for the first Eastbourne and district business honours.

The Eastbourne Business Awards 2003 will bring together 250 of the town's leading business people at the Grand Hotel on October 31.

Former England cricket captain Graham Gooch will host the event and name the winners of the seven categories and the overall Eastbourne Business of the Year.

The award scheme will showcase local businesses of all types and sizes and recognise their contribution to the town and the wider Sussex economy.

The categories are: manufacturing business of the year, independent retailer of the year, professional business of the year, hospitality, tourism and leisure business of the year, customer care award, employee of the year and employer of the year.

Each category winner will compete for the title of Eastbourne Business of the Year 2003.

Entry to each costs £30 with no limit on the number of categories entered. The closing date is September 30. Tickets for the awards lunch, priced at £30 per person, are also on sale.

The judges include Sussex Enterprise chief executive Mark Froud, Varian director John Peel, BAA Gatwick managing director Roger Cato and Marshall Tufflex managing director Paul Evans.

The awards, which are being supported by Sussex Enterprise, have been organised by a group of Eastbourne companies including chartered accountants and business advisers Ogilvie Booth Coles and public relations consultants Tim Cobb Associates.

For more information, call the events team on 01444 259259 or email bobbie.scragg@sussexenterprise.co.uk
Wednesday September 17, 2003