THE NOMINEES for the 2008 Royston and District Business Awards have been announced. The winners, organised by the Royston and District Chamber of Commerce, will be announced at a ceremony on November 27 – and 19 businesses have been included on the shortl

THE NOMINEES for the 2008 Royston and District Business Awards have been announced.

The winners, organised by the Royston and District Chamber of Commerce, will be announced at a ceremony on November 27 - and 19 businesses have been included on the shortlist for the various awards.

Stephen Larcombe, chairman of the Chamber said: "What is really striking from the shortlist is that so many of the organisations are mentioned in several categories.

"This shows that those who are doing well are performing on all fronts, not just on one aspect of the business.

"Several of them were winners of awards last year, and are continuing to do an excellent job for their customers."

Among those nominated for more than one award are the Banyers Hotel, laundrette Wash Me Iron Me, and café and sandwich bar Take Five.

Six outstanding employees are also in the running for the Employee of the Year award.

Treasurer David Smyth said: "This year things are getting very tough, but we hope that the companies on our shortlist and the eventual winners, will act as a beacon for all the other businesses in the district.

They come from all sectors and show the way to succeed, even in a downturn."

Mr Larcombe added: "We hope to have about 150 people at the town hall at the awards night to celebrate the winners.

"Details of where to obtain tickets will be published next week.

If last year is anything to go by, we will be oversubscribed, so tickets will be on a first come, first served basis."

The Nominees

Business of the Year Award

Sponsor: Meridian Line Travel: Ladds; Palazzo; Premier Travel; Saffron Insurance; Take 5; Wash Me Iron Me.

Outstanding customer service

Sponsor: Johnson Matthey: Royston Library; Take 5; Saffron Insurance; Stationery Cupboard; Wash Me, Iron Me.

Best New Business

(less than three years old)

Sponsor: Tesco: The (new) Banyers Hotel; Contacts4business; Smith & Coburn.

Best place to eat or drink

a) Take-away

b) Restaurant/Café

Sponsor: The Stationery Cupboard: Restaurant: The Banyers of Royston; Palazzo; Royal Bengal. Take Away: Hoggs; Mello; Take 5.

Employee of the Year

Sponsor: Business Link: Jessica Kerr - Cecil Newling; Joyce Roeffer - Merlin Mica Hardware; Sharon Windebank - Saffron Ins; Daniel Willoughby - Solutions for Business; Theresa Mann - Wash Me Iron Me.

Investing in Royston Award

Sponsor: Barclays Bank: The (new) Banyers Hotel; GE Howes; Town House Publishing (The Listing).

Best Town Centre Shop

Sponsor: WKH Accountants: Gary Miles (Shoe repairs & key cutting); Premier Travel; Stationery Cupboard.

Outstanding Contribution

to the Community

Sponsor: Town Council Royston Library; Gary Miles (Shoe repairs & key cutting); Palazzo.

Sponsors

Meridian Line Travel; Palazzo; Stationery Cupboard; David Mallows; Johnson Matthey PLC; The Royston Crow; Wooden House Design; Beautiful Balloons; WKH Chartered Accountants; Wooden House Design & Media; Barclays Bank Plc; Stage Struck; Business Link; Bette & Carol; Tesco; Saffron Insurance; Royston Town Council; Titan Roadshow; Lloyds Bank plc; VB Trophies.