Despite on-going uncertainty for businesses concerned about Brexit, BusinessesForSale.com announced today that 2019 has been the best ever year for entries to the Small Business Big Heart Awards.
Entries are up by over 100% on last year, more business sectors than ever before have entered, more regions than previous years have shared their big heart stories and more nominations have come from benefactors, customers and employees than previous years.
For the first time ever small businesses in Northern Ireland have joined the Small Business Big Heart Community. 2019 is the first year BusinessesForSale.com has received entries from the region, making up 4% of all entries.
The top three regions are The South East with a whopping 18% of entries while joint second place is shared between the North West and the South West with 11.7% each.
In terms of range of businesses these are the award’s most varied selection to date. The top three sectors are Food and Catering at 18%, Retail with 13%, and Hospitality at 12%. Other sectors well represented include Childcare and Education, Property and Business Services while farming, legal services and funeral care also in with a chance of winning.
Rufus Bazley, Director of Marketing at BusinessForSale.com says “The Small Business Big Heart Awards has fast become a significant event in the small business calendar and remains one of my favourite projects. We’re delighted that the number and range of entries and has increased so phenomenally.”
“We’re sure the increase in entries is in part down to the growing awareness of the awards, but in addition {{Brexit and austerity may also be factors}}; our own research has found how important small businesses are to their local communities and perhaps they’re doing even more now in response to growing needs.”
The Small Business Big Heart Awards judging process has now begun. Regional finalists will be announced on 17 June and the overall winner will be announced on 15 September.
“We’d like to thank everyone for entering and wish everyone who has been nominated success.” Rufus continues. “I look forward to hearing their stories, but, as ever, I know I will find it incredibly hard to choose the winner.”
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Notes to Editors
Contact Details
For more information contact Ruth Stone, Orchid PR on 01483 358710 / 07788 417109 or email ruth@orchidpr.co.uk
About BusinessesForSale.com
For over 20 years BusinessesForSale.com has been helping business brokers and private sellers’ market their listings. Some of our most exciting business opportunities have included the makers of Big Ben's clock, a Chinese toll road, a crocodile farm in Thailand and even a tropical island!
We have become the world's largest marketplace advertising over 70,000 businesses for sale in over 130 countries. The website is proudly run by our team of 32 based in London, Sydney, North Carolina and Mexico City.