What are the award categories?

There are 8 public voted awards:

Independent Business of the Year, Hospitality Business of the Year, Professional Services Business of the Year, Market Trader of the Year, Customer Service Award, Visitor Attraction of the Year, New Business of the Year, Community Project of the Year

There are also 3 panel judged awards (no public vote):

Spirit of Newcastle-under-Lyme Business, Spirit of Newcastle-under-Lyme Person, Lifetime Achievement

Who runs the awards?

The awards are delivered by Newcastle-under-Lyme BID (Business Improvement District).

When do nominations and voting happen?

Key dates for 2025 are:

Nominations open: 25th August 
Public voting: 19th September
Awards event: Friday 10th October

Who can nominate?

Anyone can nominate – customers, residents, visitors, staff and business owners.

I’m a business, can I nominate myself?

Yes. Self-nominations are welcome and judged on the same criteria as all other submissions.

How do I nominate?

Submit via the online form at lovenulawards.co.uk or complete a paper form if you have one. Please complete one form per nomination and include clear reasons and examples.

How are public voted categories shortlisted?

After nominations close, the judging panel reviews every eligible entry and selects a top five for each category based purely on merit. We look for clear evidence against the category purpose (impact, quality, service, innovation, community benefit, etc.) and the strength of the supporting examples provided. The top five then go forward to the public vote.

Who is on the judging panel?

The panel is made up of members of the BID Board and team, along with category sponsors. Where a panel member has a conflict (for example, they work for or are closely connected to a nominated business), they will not judge that specific category.

How does the public vote work?

Once shortlists are published, the public can vote online during the voting window. One vote per category per person is encouraged. The final winner in each public category is determined by the vote outcome, with checks in place to prevent obvious duplication or manipulation.

How are the special awards decided?

Spirit of Newcastle-under-Lyme (Business and Person) and Lifetime Achievement are decided solely by the panel on merit, with no public vote.

Where is the awards event?

NSCG Performing Arts Centre, Friday 10 October 2025.

Can I buy tickets for the awards night?

Invitations will be issued first to shortlisted businesses, sponsors and key partners. If capacity allows, a limited number of tickets may be released for general sale. Keep an eye on lovenulawards.co.uk and BID channels for updates.

Can sponsors or panel members win an award?

Their organisations can be nominated, but any panelist with a connection to a nominee will recuse themselves from judging that category to maintain fairness.

How will my personal data be used?

Information provided is used to administer the awards, communicate with nominees and voters, and for publicity related to the awards. 

Who do I contact with questions?

Get in touch with the Newcastle-under-Lyme BID team via hello@nulbid.co.uk.