One of the most enjoyable aspects of representing our fantastic area as your MP is the chance to meet so many inspiring business people. It takes guts, dedication and hard graft to start and run your own business and we all benefit from the fantastic local products and services that entrepreneurs provide for our area.
As such, I have decided the new year presents a great chance to launch a Local Business Awards scheme and I am looking for nominations!

There are categories to suit all types of businesses, large and small:
- Food & Drink
- Retail
- Tourism & Leisure
- Manufacturing
- Service
- New Business (founded since January 2019)

To nominate a business you feel deserves recognition, please fill in this form (all you need to do is let me know the details of the business and why you think they deserve to win!)

Every business that is nominated will receive a certificate in recognition of their contribution to our local economy and community. I also always find it really helpful to hear from local businesses about both their successes and the challenges that they face, so I am also keen to visit as many nominees as I can, and will aim to feature a local business every week throughout the year as part of a regular ‘Business of the Week’ series to showcase the fantastic enterprise and innovation across Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.

The 2020 awards will culminate with a special event in the autumn to announce the winners in each category.