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Carlow Business Awards for 2025

Carlow Business Awards 2025 – Nominations Now Open!  

The Carlow Business Awards, organised by County Carlow Chamber and sponsored by Carlow Credit Union, recognise and reward excellence.   

Nominations for the 2025 awards are now open – so if you know, or indeed you are, an exceptional business make sure to enter. 

There are 2 ways to enter: 

  1. Anyone can nominate a business they feel is exceptional – so use this opportunity to reward businesses you admire and give them the recognition that they deserve.   It’s a great way to support your local businesses, suppliers or service providers.   

or 

  1. If you are a business that is proud of what you are achieving, put your nomination in and raise the profile of your business. 

How to enter: 

Just click on the Nomination button below and fill out the form.  You can nominate as many businesses as you like, for a variety of award categories.   

It is 1 form per business so to nominate more simply click the Nomination button again to submit additional entries. 

Nomination takes approx. 2 minutes per form. 

Choose wisely: 

Click here to read about all of the available award categories – and what the criteria for these awards are.  You can select as many categories as you wish – but remember, you’ll need to tell us why you think the business or person is a good fit for this award.    

Closing date for nominations is midnight on the 8th of June. 

Next Steps: 

All businesses nominated by the deadline will be assessed by a selection panel of experts.  

As stage 2 of the awards, a shortlist of businesses selected by this panel will then be invited to submit a detailed application under specific categories.  

Carlow Business Awards 2025 Schedule

30th May – Launch of Carlow Business Awards 2025

8th June – Nominations Closed

Midnight, 6th July – Deadline for completed applications, for shortlisted business

18th July – Finalists Notified

18th July – 8th August – Mystery shopping / assessments take place for specified categories

14th August – Shortlisted Nominees will present to the Judges

Thursday 18th September – Carlow Business Awards

For tickets telephone 059 913 2337 or email admin@carlowchamber.com

Categories and Criteria for Carlow Business Awards 2025

Award  What type of businesses could win? 
Workplace Health & Wellbeing Award  Businesses that have excelled at putting systems and structures in place to support and promote the health and wellbeing of their employees.   

 

For example – this could include (but is not limited to) 

  • initiatives that promote greater work/life balance,  
  • programmes that support positive mental health, 
  • supports that increase physical health and wellbeing etc. 
Business Supporting Community Award  Businesses that take a proactive approach to supporting, promoting or working collaboratively with their local community. 

 

For example – this could include (but is not limited to)  

  • businesses that work closely with voluntary or community groups to improve their local community or locality 
  • businesses that offer pro bono support or voluntary support to people or communities in Carlow 
  • businesses that sponsor, support or engage with local community groups, teams or charities etc. 
Food and Beverage Producers Award   

Businesses that stand out for producing superior quality or innovative food or drinks products 

 

For example – this could include (but is not limited to) 

  • food or beverage producers – artisan or large scale 
  • businesses that grow or produce ingredients for other food producers 
  • caterers or food specialists that provide food to order to other businesses, or indeed to the public (but that do not have a restaurant / café) 
Professional Services Award  Businesses in the professional services sector that exceed client or customer expectations 

 

For example – this could include (but is not limited to) 

  • financial services 
  • insurance 
  • legal services 
  • business training, mentoring and consultancy 
  • export and logistics services 
  • building sector services  
  • design sector services 
  • sustainability services 
  • compliance services 
  • marketing, advertising and sales services etc. 
Research, Innovation and Technology Award  Proactive and dynamic businesses that have identified and applied innovative ways to improve their products or services. 

 

For example – this could include (but is not limited to) 

  • companies that have used R&D to strengthen their business offering 
  • companies that have developed innovative solutions to manufacturing, service or retail challenges 
  • businesses that have harnessed technology to develop and grow etc  
Sustainable Initiatives Award  Businesses that take a responsible approach – minimising their impact on the planet, while maximising their positive impacts on people, place and environment. 

 

For example – this could include (but is not limited to) 

  • business that have adapted their premises to be more energy efficient 
  • businesses that have evolved their offering to be more sustainable 
  • business that have instigated processes to reduce waste 
  • businesses that have programmes to encourage employees to take a more sustainable approach etc 
Best Online Presence Award  Businesses that have a strong, engaging and consistent presence on-line (on their website and social platforms) – ensuring customers have a great user experience. 

 

For example – this could include (but is not limited to) 

  • businesses who have a consistent and engaging presence across all of their on-line platforms 
  • businesses that have improved their online presence to create a better user experience 
  • businesses who use their on-line voice in a unique way to build a following that strengthens their business etc. 
Emerging Business Award  Progressive businesses that are excelling or exceeding customers’ expectations – and are less than 3 years in business. 

 

This category is ideal for early stage businesses (1-3 years in business) that show strong market and customer understanding, and that are making progress in growing their brand and their sales. 
International Business Award  Businesses successfully operating internationally, exporting goods or services, opening new markets and building relationships abroad. 
Culture Heritage & Tourism Award  Businesses, festivals, events or destinations that add to the local economy and that positively promote county Carlow 

 

For example – this could include (but is not limited to) 

  • visitor attractions where locals and tourists can visit and enjoy a memorable experience (this can be a business in itself or a smaller part of another business) 
  • creative, cultural or arts providers/ events 
  • heritage organisations / events etc. 
Daytime Dining Award  Businesses that stand out for providing quality, diversity or innovation in their daytime food and beverage offerings, with excellent customer service. 

 
Night-time Dining Award  Businesses (licensed or unlicensed) that offer an excellent evening dining experience.  Restaurants that stand out for the quality and variety of their food offering, their memorable ambience and the quality of their customer service.  

 
Personal Services Providers Award  Personal Services that stand out for their excellence, innovation, business acumen or customer service. 

 

This category is ideal businesses that provide services to individuals (as opposed to businesses), who have cut out a niche for themselves within their own industry, and are excelling from a business / customer service perspective.   

 

For example – this could include (but is not limited to) 

  • hairdressers / barbers 
  • beauticians / nail artists / make-up artists  
  • physiotherapists / physical therapists / fitness instructors / personal trainers 
  • dog groomers / pet sitters / dog walkers 
  • alternative/ complimentary therapists 
  • party planners / wedding planners/ funeral service es 
  • opticians / dentists / hearing specialists/ aesthetic service providers 
  • home maintenance providers – window cleaners, garden services etc
     
Best Presented Premises/Shop Front Award – Carlow Town  Businesses that stand out in their locality for their attractive, memorable and appealing premises. 

 

This recognises businesses that stand out for: 

  • cleanliness and tidiness throughout their premises  
  • strong and attractive branding – signage, printed materials etc 
  • landscaping or floral displays 
  • welcoming staff 
  • ambience / curb appeal etc 
Best Presented Premises/Shop Front Award – Tullow & Carlow North 
Best Presented Premises/Shop Front Award – Muine Bheag & Carlow South 
Customer Service Award  Businesses that excel in meeting the needs of their customers – and that are open, inclusive and customer-focused across the business 
Retailer of the Year Award  Strong, dynamic, innovative retailers that provide a positive shopping experience to all their customers. 
Family Business of the Year  Family owned and run businesses that excel in their field, have grown and evolved and that have made a positive impact. 

 

These are businesses that either have passed down through generations, or who currently have 2 or more generations working within the business. 
Outstanding Small Business of the Year Award  Business with less than 10 employees that have excelled in their field and that show future potential. 
Outstanding Medium Business of the Year  Businesses with less than 50 employees that have excelled in their field and that show future potential.  
Carlow Business of the Year Award  Businesses with more than 50 that have shown exceptional resilience and growth – exceeding expectations and making a positive impact. 
Nominate Now