TIME is running out for entries to be submitted for this year’s East Renfrewshire Business Awards.

Businesses in Barrhead and surrounding towns and villages are urged to apply to promote their work and celebrate their achievements.

They will be following in the footsteps of the likes of Barrhead-based I-Kick Martial Arts, which won last year’s Family Business award.

A spokesperson for the company said: “It was fantastic to win the Family Business award, as we’d been finalists the previous two years. To finally win, we felt, was recognition of the constant hard work, hours and effort we put in as a family, along with our team, students and supporters, without whom there wouldn’t be a business.

“It’s also great for us as a local business to be acknowledged like this for the services we provide in our community and we proudly display our winner’s badge on our marketing materials, which we feel gives us a little more of an edge over the competition.”

The awards are open to businesses of all sizes, in all sectors, based in East Renfrewshire and are free to enter.

Companies can enter up to three of the eight categories, which are Best Home-Based Business; Developing East Renfrewshire’s Young Workforce; Family Business; Excellence in Customer Service; Most Promising New Business; Community Impact; Best New Product or Service; and East Renfrewshire’s Best Business.

To view the criteria or request an application form, visit www.eastrenchamber.org.uk/awards, send an email to awards@entourageuk.com or call 0141 887 6181.

The deadline for entries is Wednesday, March 18, with the winners to be announced at a black tie dinner at the newly-refurbished Dalmeny Park Hotel, in Barrhead, on Friday, June 12, hosted by comedian and actress Karen Dunbar.