THE Cirencester Business Awards 2014 launched last week with businesses across town gathering to enjoy a party at the Corinium Museum.

Cirencester Chamber of Commerce explained the full details of this year’s business awards at the event in the museum before guests enjoyed wine, canapés and networking.

New award categories, Entertainment Experience of the Year and New Business of the Year, were announced for 2014 which aim to see new areas of business recognised.

The Entertainment Experience Award will celebrate the businesses in Cirencester that provide fun, excitement and relaxation when all the other traders in town have shut their doors for the day. Restaurants, cafes, pubs and tourist attractions are all invited to enter.

New Business of the Year is for businesses that have not been running for more than three years.

Other awards this year are Business Person of the Year, Innovation of the Year, PR and Marketing Campaign of the Year, Green Business of the Year, Team of the Year and Young Business Person of the Year.

President of Cirencester Chamber of Commerce Anthony Flynn said he was excited to see what 2014 would bring for businesses in the area.

“It’s a record turn-out to the launch party this year which really bodes well for the 2014 Awards. It’s fantastic to celebrate different areas of the town,” he said.

The Standard is also sponsoring the reader voted Customer Service Award for another year.

Judging for the awards will take place between April 1 and 18. The winners announced at an Awards Dinner held at the Royal Agricultural University on Friday, May 16.

Visit ccoc.org.uk to find out how to enter the awards or for more information.