Croydon’s best businesses are being urged not to miss out on the chance to be rewarded.

Entry to the Croydon Business Awards 2012 closes on Friday, March 16, with trophies up for grabs in numerous categories such as best small business, best business for customer service, and best new business.

The awards, which are organised by South London Business, in association with Barclays, are free to enter and open to all businesses within the borough.

The winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony at the Arnhem Gallery in Fairfield Halls on May 2 and all finalists will be automatically entered to represent Croydon in the annual South London Business Awards, to be held in July 2012.

Ross Feeney, director of business support at South London Business, said: “2012 is a great year for the country to celebrate, and we feel that businesses should be rewarded for their successes too.

“The awards provide the opportunity for local businesses to shine, which is especially important in these tough economic times.

“We encourage all businesses in the borough to enter and help us show the talent we have in Croydon.”

The awards are backed by top businesses in the borough, including headline sponsors Barclays, Owaddally and King, Lloyds, Zurich Insurance, Federation of Small Businesses, Wing Yip, Fairfield Halls, Southern Railway and Croydon Park Hotel.

John Spring from Fairifeld Halls said: “Fairfield Halls are proud to sponsor the Commitment to the Community Award.

“We have always been great believers in the local community and we hope that we provide not only a stage for the world’s best artists but also a platform for the many talented people right here in Croydon.”

To enter the awards and find full details visit croydonbusinessawards.co.uk.

Businesses interested in sponsoring the awards can call the business awards team on 020 8726 7968 or email croydonawards@whitelabelconsultants.org.uk