Residents, shoppers and workers are being asked to go online and nominate local businesses for one or more Hammersmith & Fulham Brilliant Business Awards.

Championed by H&F Council, the awards put the borough's finest and most outstanding businesses, entrepreneurs and community-minded enterprises into the spotlight, and recognise their achievements.

The award categories are:

• Your favourite business
• Best customer service
• Best new business
• Best business supporter of the community
• Best Food business
• Best Shepherds Bush business
• Best Hammersmith business
• Best Fulham business
• Innovation award 
• Best local business
• Employee of the year
• Marketing award
• People's choice (most voted for by the public over all categories)

The closing date for nominations is Sunday October 19. Votes will be counted and the top eight business nominations in each category will be contacted and asked to submit a simple application form along with evidence about why they feel they should win the category for which they have been nominated. These forms will be assessed by a panel of independent judges made up of industry specialists.

The H&F Brilliant Business Awards celebration evening will take place on November 26 at St Paul's Church, in Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith.

Businesses can download a Brilliant Business Awards business pack and 'Vote for Us' poster at www.lbhfbba.com.

You can also email nicki.burgess@lbhf.gov.uk if you require a hard copy or would like further information.

Launching this year's awards, Cllr Andrew Jones, H&F's cabinet member for economic development and regeneration said: "These awards highlight the fantastic quality and variety of the 17,000 businesses we have in H&F - cafes, restaurants, hairdressers, beauticians, market stalls, architects and even financial advisors! 7

"The council's new administration wants to make sure people who live and work in the borough support their local enterprises, keep shopping in their areas and vote for the businesses they love."

It's never been easier to vote - just visit www.lbhfbba.com (opens new window) and follow the instructions. You can also email nominations to business-desk@lbhf.gov.uk, call 020 8753 5585 and leave a your nomination details or vote in person at the town hall's reception in King Street.

The names of all voters will be entered into a draw to win a goodie bag full of fantastic prizes and VIP invite to the award ceremony on November 26.

September 23, 2014