Over 800 businesses in the area have had an entry form hand delivered in the last week and nominations are invited in nine award categories. Customers are also being invited to nominate their favourite shop, café, pub and restaurant in an entry form being printed exclusively in The Argus newspaper on four occasions until entries close on 31 August. The first customer nomination form will appear in the Argus on Friday 13 July, with more forms appearing on 27 July, 10 August and 14 August.

There are nine categories in this year’s awards – including

• Best Shop
• Best Place to Spend an Evening
• Friendliest Staff

New for this year is an award for Best Eco Business and one for the Hove Hero where the organisers are looking for someone who really makes Hove and Portslade a great place. Other categories include

• Best Specialist Service
• Best Business to Business
• Best Newcomer for new shops that have opened in the last 12 months.

The At Your Service Awards are organised by the Hove Business Partnership which is funded by the city council and Hove Business Association. The winners will be announced at an awards evening at the Sussex County Cricket Ground on Tuesday 16 October.

Click here to download At Your Service Awards entry form