2026 Award Categories
Business of the Year
Sponsored by
This award celebrates the success of a business that has over £1M turnover. Applicants should consider the following in their application where appropriate:
- Clearly describe the business model and market
- Provide financial information to demonstrate sustained growth
- Provide evidence of market growth
- How has your customer base grown?
- What challenges have you faced and overcome? Describe any changes you’ve made to stay competitive
- What’s next?
Small Business of the Year
Sponsored by
This award celebrates the success of a business of up to £1M. Applicants should consider the following in their application where appropriate:
- Clearly describe the business model and market
- Provide financial information to demonstrate sustained growth
- Provide evidence of market growth
- How has your customer base grown?
- What challenges have you faced and overcome? Describe any changes you’ve made to stay competitive
- What’s next?
New Business of the Year
Sponsored by
This award celebrates the growth and success of a business that has started and been trading for 2 years or less. Applicants should consider the following in their application where appropriate:
- Tell us about your journey and how your business came about?
- Provide an overview of your financial growth
- Describe your growth
- What challenges have you faced and overcome?
- What’s next?
Visitor Experience Award
Sponsored by
This award recognises those businesses who welcome visitors to Salisbury & surrounding areas. Open to retail, hospitality, leisure and attractions who deliver the best experience for visitors to Salisbury and the local area. Applicants should consider the following when entering:
- What is your experience offer and how does this set you apart from others?
- Clear evidence measuring visitor experience
- An overview of how you attract visitors throughout the year
- Open and inclusive approach to visitors from the UK and abroad
- Teams who are clearly engaged and focused on delivering a great experience for their visitors
Innovation Award
Sponsored by
This award recognises organisations of all sizes that demonstrate clear, measurable, and impactful innovation in one or more of the following areas: sustainability and environmental responsibility; science and technology; equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI); or digital transformation & automation.
To apply, applicants should provide:
- A clearly defined innovation plan.
- Proven originality within its market.
- Measurable outcomes demonstrating the impact of the innovation.
“Grist Environmental are proud to support the Green Business Award, helping to promote the positive contributions that environmental conscious business’s make to our communities.”
Excellence in Customer Service Award
Sponsored by
This award is in recognition of companies with a clear focus on customer service excellence.
- Tell us about your extraordinary customer service and how it sets you apart
- A clear relationship between customer service activities and improved business performance, financial growth and customer retention
- A company with a clear understanding of customer needs through feedback
“We are delighted to sponsor the Excellence in Customer Service Award, which perfectly reflects our values and vision for the newly re-opened Salisbury City Hall. Our commitment to Salisbury and to City Hall is to play an active role in the life of the city by engaging with local people and businesses, and we can think of no better way to demonstrate this than by supporting an award that recognises outstanding service. By celebrating those who put customers at the heart of their success, we hope to highlight the importance of excellence in service as a driver of growth, community pride, and long-term success.”
Social Value Award
Sponsored by
This category recognises the contribution made by any Charity, Community Interest Company or Social Enterprise that provide valuable services in the community.
- Describe what has enhanced your organisation’s reach and effectiveness thinking about partnerships with other charities, businesses, local authorities or volunteers that you might have.
- Showcase how you’ve made a difference, on individuals and/or the wider community, by including testimonials, case studies, or data.
- Show how your organisation has developed its services in a way that ensures long-term stability and benefit.
“Bradbeers is pleased to be sponsoring the Social Value Award. We are always delighted to see the effect that charitable and social impact initiatives can have on a community. We remain committed to supporting initiatives through our involvement with the Salisbury Chamber and Salisbury BID, and through our own Charitable Trust”
The Rising Star Award
Sponsored by
This category recognises inspirational individuals who will represent the future of business in our city. Please consider the following when applying:
- Can clearly demonstrate impact on the business or field
- Impacts for this area could be wide ranging. Examples could include changes to culture, efficiencies, increased income or innovation and creativity
- They have mindset that enables them to rise to challenges, solve problems and shows clear enjoyment when performing their role
- Backing Potential
- Celebrating ambition
- Supporting future leaders