A KIRKBY Lonsdale-based dog sitting company is calling on local SMEs to enter this year’s Amazon Growing Business Awards.

This week marks the last chance for businesses in the area to enter, as nominations close on September 15. Entries can be submitted at http://gba.realbusiness.co.uk/  

Barking Mad, from Kirkby Lonsdale, triumphed at the 2016 Awards when they scooped the top prize for Micro Business of the Year.

The local company is now calling on other businesses in Cumbria to represent the region at the 2017 Awards, which are on track to have a record number of applicants this year.

Created by Real Business and backed by the CBI, the Amazon Growing Business Awards is the UK’s most established and respected recognition of small-to-medium-enterprise (SME) and entrepreneurial success.

Encouraging more local companies to get involved, Richard Dancy, founder and managing director at Barking Mad, said: “Winning Micro Business of the Year at the Amazon Growing Business Awards last year was a huge step for us on our journey as a company. Barking Mad has been growing since we began in 2000 and to be recognised at such a prestigious event was a fantastic feeling – a feeling I hope more businesses in our area can experience. I would urge any businesses who haven’t yet applied to get their entries in before the closing date.

“The Amazon Growing Business Awards is a great way for small businesses to get the national recognition they deserve,” said Doug Gurr, UK Country Manager, Amazon. “We want to shine a spotlight on the best of British businesses to help inspire others to succeed, so I’d encourage Cumbrian businesses of all shapes and sizes to submit a nomination before the deadline closes on 15th September.”

Since its launch in 1999, the Amazon Growing Business Awards has celebrated the success of inspirational businesses and outstanding entrepreneurs. Previous winners include Go Ape, innocent Drinks, Betfair, Lovefilm and Fever-Tree, while VIP guests to have graced the ceremony include Bill Gates, Gordon Brown and Stelios Haji-Ioannou.

Category winners will be presented with an award and benefit from brand exposure associated with the event. All UK-based high-growth and entrepreneurial companies, regardless of size or stage of operations, can enter the awards.

Nominations for the Awards are open for 17 categories and will close on September 15. The awards ceremony takes place in London on November 29.