To celebrate the success of businesses in Dunmow, the Broadcast is asking residents to shout about what they love most in your town centre.

Dunmow Broadcast:

Following on from the launch of our Shop Local campaign, we are now holding a reader-driven best businesses awards competition.

We are asking you to highlight the cream of the crop in the town and nominate the business that you believe most deserves to win each of our five categories.

Readers will then be given a list of the businesses nominated for each category and asked to vote for a winner.

So, if there is a certain place that always goes the extra mile or maybe knows your order as soon as you walk in the door, it is your chance to say a big thank you back.

Businesses, this is your opportunity to showcase your success and urge your loyal customers to throw you into the hat.

Here is our list of categories:

Customer Service Award: We are looking for a business which sets itself above the rest when it comes to customer service. We want to see nominations about places that go the extra mile and sometimes that can be as simple as always being greeted with a smile.

New Business Award (open for 12 months and under): We want to hear about places that may have only been open for a few months, but it feels as if they have been there forever. Or even a place where they offer something nowhere else in Dunmow does.

Independent Retailer Award: This will not be an easy category as Dunmow shoppers are spoilt for choice when it comes to independent retailers. But, what we want to see is a business that has traditional values at its heart and offers something that chains cannot.

Pub & Restaurant Award: With so many different places to eat and drink in the town, creating a shortlist for this category will not be easy for the judges. Maybe there is a certain place you visit every week because it never fails to impress, or there could be that one place you always save for a special occasion.

Favourite Business Award: No matter what they serve, sell of produce – every business in Dunmow is in with a chance of winning this award. Tell us what you love about that place and why – and you never know, that might be the reason someone else adores it so much as well.

Email your nominations to editor@dunmow-broadcast.co.uk or call 01799 513000. Deadline for all award nominations is Friday, September 19.