FORMER winners of the Salisbury Business Excellence Awards have spoken about their success to encourage others to put their names forward ahead of the 2025 ceremony.

The awards were officially launched by the Salisbury & District Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the city's BID (business improvement district) at The Stones Hotel on Wednesday night.

Applications were formally opened by Andy North, president of the chamber of commerce, Mark Baulch, the chamber's events assistant, and Robin McGowan, chief executive of the BID.

Chamber president Andy NorthChamber president Andy North (Image: Spencer Mulholland) Mr Baulch, who will host the awards evening on March 21, said the application process is “incredibly simple” and encouraged firms to put themselves forward in up to two categories.

The categories are:

  • Small Business of the Year (sponsored by D&N Maintenance and Construction)
  • Rising Star (Wiltshire College)
  • Best Start-up/New Business (The Hair Extension Cave)
  • Service Excellence (Spire Telecom Ltd)
  • Large Business of the Year (sponsored by Aspire Defence)
  • Green Business (Grist Environmental)
  • Charity, Not-for-Profit and Social Enterprise (St Thomas's Church)
  • Visitor Experience (Salisbury Reds)

Read more: Salisbury's finest recognised at 2024 Business Excellence Awards 

Molly Cook, owner of The Hair Extension Cave on Silver Street, won the Service Excellence Award in 2024. She is now sponsoring the prize.

Speaking to guests, she said: “The reason you should enter the awards is really simple: you have to be in it to win it. I won it, and it changed my business dramatically.

“I sponsored this event because I believe it brings us the gratification we deserve. This is a massive pat on the back.” 

Molly Cook of The Hair Extension CaveMolly Cook of The Hair Extension Cave (Image: Spencer Mulholland) Chris McShane, CEO of Learning 3D Limited, which won the Small Business Award last year, provided a video message.

In it, he said: “Winning the award for us was somebody recognising our efforts and what we were doing, and somebody recognising that we had created a business.

“We were so excited by what happened to us. I would encourage you if you’re eligible to get your name in. I know what it did for us, and I hope it will do the same for you.” 

Applications will be accepted until the first week of January, but the chamber would like to “encourage entry as soon as possible”.

Businesses can put themselves forward here: salisburychamber.co.uk/portfolio/business-excellence-awards-2/