Businesses in the borough have a chance to put their names forward for the Dartford Business Awards 2018.

Companies will shortly be able to put their names forward for an award where they’ll have a chance of winning The Good for the Community Award, The Dartford Living Customers’ Choice Award, Best Owner Managed Business, Shop of the Year and Best Use of Online.

The awards nominations open on Thursday, May 24, and the awards night ceremony will be on Thursday, September 20, at Bluewater Shopping Centre.

Longfield Village Butchers, of Station Road, Longfield, was chosen as the Best Shop of the Year by Dartford council in 2017.

Owner of the butchers, Michael Jones, said: “Winning the award was great for us.

It gave us and our staff a real morale boost as it gave us faith that we were doing everything right.

“Being in Longfield we were delighted that the awards weren’t centred around Dartford town centre which also gives other businesses incentive to become involved. “

Downton and Ali Associates, who are financial advisors, won The Good for the Community Award.

Co owner, Mr Brian Downton, said: “Winning an award, particularly a local award, has been fantastic for raising awareness of the company in Dartford and the surrounding areas.

“It has also been a great source of pride for the whole team, increasing staff morale and giving the team a renewed sense of why we are in business.”

Fox Estate Agents, of Brent Lane, Dartford, won 2017’s award for Best Owner Managed Business.

Owner, Chris Fox, said: “Winning the Dartford Business Award was thrilling for us all at Fox Estate Agents as being a small, new business in Dartford, it really raised our profile in the area.

“We take great pride in our reputation for excellent Customer Service and this Award validated our hard working, professional, dedicated, friendly staff who promotes the company's ethos on a daily basis.”

Charlotte Wise was able to rebrand her online business, Bippity Boppity Shopity, after winning the Best Use of Online award.

Now the owner of Bip Bop Shop, which sells children gifts and wooden toys, she said: “I have rebranded and reinvested, that’s what winning the award has allowed me to do.

“It was fantastic, it was a great experience and it gave me so much more of a reach to other customers.”

To enter your business for a chance of winning an award visit dartfordbusinessawards.com