The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) is now inviting nominations for its prestigious Independent Retail Awards 2015.
The awards recognise the best in our industry by rewarding individuals and retailers achieving excellence in independent retail, and comprise four categories: Independent Retailer of the Year; Retail Employee of the Year; Charitable Champion; and BIRA Direct Supplier awards.

Independent retailers are encouraged to put their shop forward, highlighting innovation and forward thinking, to be in with the chance of winning the title of Independent Retailer of the Year. The award will celebrate individual successes that set one retailer apart from the rest.

For many retailers it is not just the owner who has put in the hard work and effort but the employees too, and The Retail Employee of the Year awards enable shop owners to recognise their work. The accolades in this category are Retail Employee of the Year and Young Retail Employee of the Year, the latter focusing on under-35s leading the way for the future of retail.

Young Retail Employee of the Year will receive a place at the renowned Oxford Summer School, worth up to £2,800.

The BIRA awards also celebrate retailers dedicating time and support to their communities and charities with the Charitable Champion awards. BIRA is looking for members involved in supporting local causes, raising money for charity or who have made exceptional efforts to help others to enter these awards and be in with the chance of winning £1,000 for a charity of their choice.

Finally, the BIRA Direct Supplier awards recognise those suppliers that stand out within the independent retail industry, and include BIRA Direct Supplier of the Year, voted for by independent retailers.

The awards ceremony will take place on the evening of the BIRA High Street Conference on Wednesday, May 13 2015 at Chesford Grange Hotel in Warwickshire.

For a full awards pack, please contact Jo Cooper on 0121 446 6688 or email joanne.cooper@bira.co.uk.