Southport Business Awards 2026 - Terms & Conditions

These Terms & Conditions govern entry to the Southport Business Awards 2026 ("the Awards") and attendance at the Awards event. By submitting a nomination or purchasing a ticket, all entrants and attendees agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions.

1. Eligibility

1.1 The Awards are open to businesses that:

are based in Southport or
operate regularly within the Southport area and can demonstrate meaningful local impact.

1.2 Businesses must be legally trading at the time of entry.

1.3 Entries may be submitted by:

the business itself, or
a third party (e.g. customer, supplier, or member of the public).

1.4 Judges reserve the right to request evidence to support eligibility claims.

2. Business Types

Independent Businesses

An independent business is defined as one that is locally owned and operated, not part of a national or international chain, and where strategic decisions are made locally.

Franchise Businesses

A franchise business is defined as a locally owned and operated business trading under a national or international brand, with day-to-day management handled by a local franchisee.

National or Corporate-Owned Businesses

Corporate-owned outlets or branches operated directly by a national or international company may enter only where permitted by category eligibility rules and will be judged solely on the performance of their Southport location.

3. Businesses Based Outside Southport

3.1 Businesses whose main office or registered address is outside Southport may enter selected categories provided they can demonstrate:

regular trading activity within Southport, and
ongoing service to Southport residents or businesses, and
a clear local impact (such as employment, community involvement, or consistent service provision).

3.2 Businesses based outside Southport are not eligible for certain prestige categories, as outlined in Section 4.

4. Category Eligibility

4.1 Some award categories are restricted to independent, Southport-based businesses only.

4.2 Franchise, national, or externally based businesses may enter only categories where judging is based on local service delivery, staff performance, customer experience, or community impact.

4.3 Category eligibility will be clearly stated on the Awards website and entry forms. Entries submitted into an ineligible category may be reclassified or disqualified at the organisers’ discretion.

4.4 The following categories are restricted to independent Southport-based businesses only:

Business of the Year
Best Startup or New Business
Innovation Award
Family Business of the Year

5. Judging Process

5.1 All entries will be assessed by an independent judging panel.

5.2 Judging criteria may include (but are not limited to):

customer service and feedback
community involvement
sustainability practices
staff wellbeing and culture
business performance and professionalism

5.3 All judging decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

5.4 Judges must declare any conflicts of interest and will not assess categories where a conflict exists.

6. Entry Requirements

6.1 All information provided must be accurate and truthful.

6.2 Supporting evidence (such as testimonials, photographs, or case studies) may be requested.

6.3 The organisers reserve the right to verify information supplied and to disqualify any entry found to be misleading or false.

7. Use of Information & Promotion

7.1 By entering, businesses grant permission for the Awards organisers to:

use submitted content for judging purposes
use business names, logos, and images for promotional and publicity purposes related to the Awards

7.2 No confidential or commercially sensitive information should be submitted.

8. Finalists & Winners

8.1 Finalists and winners may be announced publicly via the Awards website, social media channels, press releases, and event materials.

8.2 Winners may refer to their award in marketing materials provided the reference is accurate and relates only to the category won.

9. Disqualification

9.1 The organisers reserve the right to disqualify any entry that:

does not meet eligibility requirements
breaches these Terms & Conditions
brings the Awards into disrepute

10. Changes & Cancellation

10.1 The organisers reserve the right to:

amend categories or criteria
extend or shorten entry deadlines
cancel the Awards or individual categories if necessary

10.2 Any changes will be communicated via official Awards channels.

11. Liability

11.1 The Awards organisers accept no responsibility for loss, damage, or technical issues affecting entries.

11.2 Participation in the Awards is at the entrant’s own risk.

12. Acceptance of Terms

12.1 Submission of an entry or purchase of a ticket constitutes acceptance of these Terms & Conditions in full.

12.2 Failure to comply may result in disqualification or refusal of entry.

13. Event Attendance & Ticketing

13.1 Tickets for the Southport Business Awards 2026 are priced at £110 per person, which includes:

a three-course meal
live entertainment
venue and AV costs
awards presentation and trophies
promotional materials related to the Awards

13.2 Tickets must be purchased in advance via the official Awards booking channels. Payment in full is required to secure your place.

13.3 Tickets are non-refundable, except in the event of cancellation of the Awards by the organisers. Tickets may be transferred to another person with prior notification to the organisers.

13.4 Admission to the event will be by ticket only. The organisers reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone not holding a valid ticket.

13.5 Attendees are expected to behave in a professional and respectful manner. The organisers accept no responsibility for loss, damage, or personal injury during the event.

13.6 By purchasing a ticket, attendees agree to these terms and conditions for event attendance.

Southport Business Awards 2026 – Celebrating excellence, community, and local impact.