SMALL can be beautiful as the Daily Echo’s South Coast Business Awards demonstrate.

One of the categories in the award, run in association with Trethowans, is the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year This award will be presented to a dynamic company with a track record for excellence and fewer than 25 employees.

Any firm hoping to win the award will have to demonstrate commercial success and growth, the development of new products and markets and a clear plan for growth in the future.

The chamber’s deputy chief executive, Maureen Frost, said “Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy but often do not get the same publicity as their larger counterparts. These awards are a great way to showcase the cream of the crop and ensure they get the recognition they deserve.

“Hampshire Chamber is proud to sponsor and judge the small business of the year we are always impressed at the quality of the businesses that enter this category who are punching well above their weight.”

Last year’s winners were Precision Creative and Media, based in Fareham, which provides business-to-business and business-to-consumer services with experience in age and ageing, health and pharmaceuticals, travel and leisure, and marine.

This year’s awards are run in partnership with Business South, Destination Southampton and Wave 105.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held at the Hilton at the Ageas Bowl on July 10.

How to enter… ANY company whose head office is based within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is eligible to enter or to be nominated for the competition.

Companies with a head office outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are welcome to enter on the understanding that they have a bespoke business plan for their Hampshire operation.

Entries or nominations must be submitted on an official application form, which is available alongside further information on all of the categories at dailyecho.co.uk/scba.

The closing date for entries is Wednesday, April 20.