Businesses are being urged to get their entries in for the Wolverhampton Independent Retail Excellence (WIRE) Awards 2018 as the closing date for this years’ competition looms. Now in its second year, the WIRE Awards are celebrating the best independent retailers in the City of Wolverhampton. The not-to-be-missed awards give independent retailers – whether a shop, restaurant, café, hotel, pub or gym – the opportunity to raise the profile of their business and get the recognition they deserve. The awards, which are being led by Wolverhampton Business Improvement District (BID) and the City of Wolverhampton Council are free to enter at www.wireawards.co.uk. Businesses can enter as many categories as they choose, but retailers who have not yet entered need to hurry as the closing date for entries is midnight on Monday, May 7, 2018. There are nine awards for businesses to put themselves forward for, including the headline award ‘Independent of the Year’. The other categories are: Excellence in Customer Service; Best Dressed Retail Store; Best Presented Premises; Excellence in Team Development; Hospitality and Leisure Business of the Year; Community Contributor of the Year; Employee of the Year; and Independent Employer of the Year. All finalists will also benefit from automatic entry into a public vote for the prestigious ‘Signal 107 People’s Favourite Independent Retailer’ award. John Henn, Chair of Wolverhampton BID, said: “A city is judged by – amongst other things – its independent businesses. In its second year the WIRE awards will be looking to continue to uncover our city centre’s diverse variety of stores not found anywhere else in the country. “Run by determined, committed owners and staffed by Wolverhampton’s finest, we want you to tell us about your business. “Wolverhampton is becoming ‘the place to invest’. Let’s make it the only place by shouting about the great diversity and quality of retailers we have. Please enter the WIRE awards and let us recognise and promote your story.” The awards are open exclusively to independent businesses whose billing authority for business rates is the City of Wolverhampton Council. The awards are being supported by sponsors Mander Centre, Signal 107, NCP, Casino 36, Midland Metro Alliance, City of Wolverhampton College, BCRS and Ramada Park Hall Hotel & Spa. Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities can email cherry@wolverhamptonbid.co.uk. WIRE awards recently announced its support for the Charity Promise Dreams who have been invited to the WIRE Awards 2018 evening at Molineux Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, to raise much-needed funds. Tickets for the WIRE Awards are available at www.wireawards.co.uk, priced £20 per head.
Deadline looms for businesses to enter WIRE Awards