Best in Bay

THE Best in Bay business will be out in force hoping to collect a gong at the Excellence Awards. The South West Innovations Centres said the awards allow business to track their progress and 'benchmark' themselves against other companies.

Adrian Sheen, manager of the South West Innovations Centres, which has premises in Torquay, Paignton and Ivybridge, said: "We have always been involved in the awards, right from the start." The centres provide desk and office units for early stage start-up businesses. They also provide business support. Mr Sheen said: "We are accommodating 52 companies. "These companies employ around 200 people."

Businesses only have until Wednesday to take part in the awards and see their success stories recognised. The shortlist of the three companies in each of the 10 categories will be announced on October 15. This year there are new categories and a new online guide to entering the competition which finishes with a glitzy awards night on November 19 at The Gallery at South Devon College.

It is the third year the Business Awards have been running. The event is organised and presented by Torbay Development Agency, Torbay Council, South West Innovation Centres, South Devon College, in partnership with the Herald Express, and celebrates local successes.

Herald Express editor Andy Phelan explained he had helped start the awards when he became editor three years ago, saying: "I was very keen personally to become involved in something which highlighted forward-thinking businesses." The awards are part of National Enterprise Week which starts on November 16 and finishes on November 21. South Devon Excellence Awards are free to enter and open to any organisation — private, public, charity or social enterprise, large or small within the South Devon area, that is, council areas of Torbay, Teignbridge and South Hams. To enter an award simply:

• Read the entry details and terms and conditions.
• Familiarise yourself with the useful Top Ten Tips.
• Complete a 50-word description of your business.
• Complete the 1,000 word justification for your entry.

For further information and to find the online guide on this year's South Devon Business Excellence Awards visit www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk and follow the link to the awards site below the news section on the home page.