The battle for top dog status has begun in the Eastbourne and district business community.

More than 200 of the town's leading business people will compete for accolades at the Eastbourne Business Awards 2004.

Entries are now being invited for the following categories: * Manufacturing business of the year * Independent retailer of the year * Professional business of the year * Hospitality, tourism and leisure business of the year * Customer care award * Employee of the year * Employer of the year

Ex-England cricket captain Graham Gooch hosted last year's inaugural event and another celebrity is being lined up this year.

The awards came about through a partnership of Eastbourne businesses who wanted to put the town on the map.

Company representatives will gather at the five-star Grand Hotel in King Edward's Parade, Eastbourne, in October.

Tim Cobb, who runs a public relations company in the town, is on the organising committee.

He said: "The awards proved to be a huge success last year. It's great that Eastbourne businesses are being recognised for all their hard work and have the chance to celebrate this at a five-star lunch. It is also a good excuse for a party."

Last year's awards raised more than £2,000 for good causes, which was split equally between East Sussex social services, Sussex Autistic Society, Care for the Carers, Alzheimer's Society, Youth Accommodation Services and Crime Reduction Initiative.

Three sponsors have already signed up to support the event: CMS, NatWest and Sussex Downs College.

Adrian Teulon, chairman of CMS, said: "We are delighted to be sponsoring the awards for the second year running and would encourage all companies to consider entering."

The aim of the awards programme, now in its second year, is to raise the profile of business in Eastbourne, the main economic centre of East Sussex.

Business leaders have long complained about the difficulties accessing the town, which has caused problems attracting inward investment.

The region's underperforming economy has led the East Sussex Economic Partnership to launch a unit dedicated specifically to attracting new business.

The unit will be headed by Michael Cogswell, formerly of West Sussex Economic Partnership, and Bryan Crunden, who have the task of bringing new jobs to the area.

Sussex Enterprise, the county's largest business support organisation, has called for improvement to the rail and road infrastructure along the coast between Hastings and Worthing.

Entry forms are now available at a cost of £30 per category, with no limit on the number of categories entered.

Tickets for the awards lunch, also £30, are now on sale.

Call the events team on 01444 259259 or email bobbie.scragg@ sussexenterprise.co.uk

Thursday March 11, 2004