Local people are being encouraged to show their support for their favourite businesses in thebestof  Business of the Year 2017 Awards. The Awards are open to all members of thebestof. Thebestof Guernsey is a marketing organisation committed to raising the profile of independent, recommended businesses serving Guernsey and the Bailwick.

Word of mouth and customer feedback lie at the heart of thebestof. The role of reviews in the decision making process for consumers has never been more influential and prevalent than it is now. The Business of the Year Awards are based purely on the number of real, verified reviews that a business has received from its customers.

The campaign operates at a national and local level providing participants across the country with the opportunity to win the accolade of UK Business of the Year 2017, Business of the Year in Category 2017 or Business of the Year 2017 in their own town.

Rick de Garis, owner of thebestof Guernsey explains, "We are excited to be launching the Business of the Year 2017 Awards. It gives us the opportunity to showcase the talented businesses that we have in Guernsey through an Awards campaign."

This year business members had to receive a minimum of 12 validated reviews from 1st February 2016 to 30th November 2016 in order to qualify. We have 26 businesses who have secured their place in the competition.

"We feel it's important that businesses should be acknowledged for the contribution they make to the local economy and the role they play in the community. If you use a great local business please take a couple of minutes to leave a review by visiting www.thebestofguernsey.co.uk."

All businesses who have qualified are entered into the Awards, which run from 1st December 2016 to midnight on the 31st January 2017. Local people can take part by visiting www.thebestof.co.uk/local/guernsey/recommend. As an added incentive those who leave a review during the campaign will be entered into a prize draw to win £50 to spend with a local thebestof business member. The results will be displayed every day on the Leader Board and the winners will announced on Wednesday 1st February 2017.

Rick de Garis comments, "It really is down to the public to decide who should be recognised in these Awards. What the businesses have to say about themselves is not relevant - this is about you, the customer, and your experience of the business. There are huge benefits for an organisation in winning an award, from the marketing and PR opportunities to the positive impact on staff morale and motivation. A couple of minutes of your time could certainly help to get 2017 off to an amazing start for our local businesses."

For more information about thebestof Guernsey Business of the Year Awards 2017, or to set up an interview with Rick de Garis or any of the local businesses participating in the Awards, please contact Rick on 07781 122852.