Here are the Hartlepool firms which have won the Service Sector category of the Hartlepool Business Awards in recent years.
Could your company be next? Take a look at our photo selection and then find out how to enter this year’s competition.
You have until 5pm on Friday, March 27 to put your company in the running.
So why not browse through our photos and find out more.
1. Amacus in 2019
Judges heard howAmacus delivered training to more than 5,000 people last year - from businesses such as Nexus, Port of Tyne, and Sage Gateshead, to local authorities, NHS and Job Centre Plus. Photo: Kevin Brady
2. Advanced Retail Solutions in 2018
New staff, new distribution deals and a very bright future. It was all part of the positive news in 2018 at Advanced Retail Solutions which is one of the UK’s leading suppliers, distributors and manufacturers of hair and beauty products. Judges also heard the firm had secured huge and exclusive distribution deals for major high street brands on behalf of companies such as Unilever International, Unilever UK, ASDA, ASOS, NEXT and Tesco Direct. Photo: Kevin Brady
3. Utility Alliance in 2017
The firm, which works in the business to business sector, saving firms money on their annual energy bills, also won the Most Promising New Business and Service Sector categories of the awards in 2017. Utility Alliance has had a meteoric rise since starting life in February 2015 with a team of just six staff. It had plans in place to increase that to 250 by the end of 2017. Photo: Kevin Brady
4. Poppys Hairdressing in 2016
What a year for Poppys Hairdressing in 2016. As well as celebrating 10 years in Hartlepool, it won the Service Sector category of the Business Awards. As well as hairdressing and barbering, Poppys has a great retail range which includes hair products and electricals. Seventeen people work across the salons in Hartlepool and Stockton and all but one have come through Poppys’ own apprentice scheme, judges heard. Photo: Kevin Brady