Awards celebrating the achievements of independent community businesses have opened for nominations.

Now in its 11th year, The Muddy Stilettos Awards, sponsored by Tide banking nationally and Three Counties Showground locally, is making its return.

The awards, dubbed "the most coveted" for independent small businesses, are known across 28 counties for raising the profile and celebrating the best community companies.

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The platform for the awards is Muddy Stilettos, the UK's leading luxury lifestyle website outside of London.

In 2023, the Muddy Awards received 77,000 business nominations and 800,000 votes countrywide.

The awards are now calling for nominations online in 21 lifestyle areas, which will include four new categories (Best Arts, Culture & Theatre, Best Casual Dining, and Best Event Venue).

People can nominate their favourite community businesses until Thursday, March 14 on the Muddy Stilettos website (https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/nominate/).

Following the nominations, the top five in each category enter the Regional Finals, which will run from Wednesday 3 to Thursday, April 18.

The regional victors will be revealed on Thursday, May 2, which will then automatically advance to the National Finals.

Finally, the Muddy Stilettos editors will decide the 'Best of the Best' in each category and announce the National Winners on Thursday, July 11.