The 2020 McLaren Vale Business Awards will be an opportunity to lift the spirits of some hard working local businesses who’ve been doing it tough in the current global pandemic.

The awards are being run again this year by the McLaren Vale Business and Tourism Association.

Nominations opened on the association’s website yesterday (Friday 3 July).

According to awards committee member Jenni Mitton, the program will be slightly different this year. 

Because there is a limited budget she says the association has had to make some changes, but it feels, “it is very important to keep up the momentum of the Awards program and lift the spirits of our hard working local businesses that have no doubt faced some great challenges in 2020”.

The public can nominate their favourite businesses or business people in the following categories: 

Retail

Professional & Business Services

Trades

Tourism

Hospitality

Employee

Home Based Business

New Business

A winner will be awarded in each category, and there will also be a People’s Choice Award via public vote. In 2020 there will be no Business of the Year awarded.

There will be a dedicated button for voting on the Fleurieu App. 

The awards night has been scheduled for Friday 16 October. Further information regarding possible attendance numbers based on capacity will be released closer to the date.

The Fleurieu App will publish the award winners on its news platform and social media pages at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Last year's winners were:

Overall winner: Roach Corporate Law

People's Choice: Blessed Cheese

Employee: Sarah Wadewitz at Gorgeous Soles 

Home-based business: Julia Brown Naturopath & Remedial Massage

Hospitality: Blessed Cheese

Tourism: Shadow Creek

New Business: Tipi Lane

Professional & Business Services: Roach Corporate Law

Retail: Gorgeous Soles

Trades: South Vac

The Fleurieu App was a finalist in the New Business category.