Two top Hadleigh business will battle it out to win a prestigious new business award.

Fergusons Deli and Battlebury's at the Kings Head in Hadleigh have been nominated in the same category, along with the Duck In Boots from Sudbury, for their innovative strategies, products, procedures and use of technology to help promote successful trading on the high street.

The famed deli and the popular town centre pub are among 28 businesses from across Babergh and Mid Suffolk to have been shortlisted in the first ever business Innovation Awards.

These include Andrew's Quality Butchers, also from Hadleigh High Street, who will be up against Shotley Premier Stores and Post Office will be up against and West View IT Limited who are in the customer service innovation category.

The awards will recognise and celebrate organisations who are thinking outside the box and finding new ways to either reach new customers, become more sustainable or grow their business.

The winners of the 11 categories will be announced during a virtual event on Tuesday 3 November. The event, which is free to attend, will include speed networking as well as workshops on small business finance, advice for start-ups and international trade.

The awards ceremony will be hosted by compere Paul Graham with the keynote speech delivered by Thea Goodluck, Tech Nation's East of England Entrepreneur Engagement Manager.

There are awards for sustainability, food, healthcare, construction, as well as for innovation on the high street, in SMEs and micro-businesses.

Four talented people; Chloe Davis & Sophie Tapscott from The Mix, Ellis Heighes from Queue Technology Ltd and Piers Brady from Orbital Media have been nominated for the Rising Star Award which will celebrate the region's young innovator aged between 16-25.

The winners will receive a prize contributed by the category sponsor that will be a mixture of a cash grant as well as bespoke professional advice, support, or training.

Sponsors of the 2020 Innovation Awards include, Orbital Media, EO Charging, Larking Gowen, West Suffolk College, Scrutton Bland, the University of Suffolk, Central Suffolk Chamber, Norse, Business Growth Coaches Network Ltd and Hudson Group.

The awards were judged by some of the leading names in innovation and creativity in the county including Tim Robinson (TechEast), Justine Paul (Suffolk Market Events), Professor Gurpreet Jagpal (University of Suffolk) and Julian Munson (NALEP) as well as Councillors Michael Holt and Gerard Brewster from Babergh District Council and Mid Suffolk District Council, respectively.

Cllr Michael Holt, Babergh District Council, cabinet member for economic growth said: "All the judges were impressed by the high standard of all the entries for our first ever Innovation Awards.

"The variety and quality of each nomination is testament to the forward-looking businesses we have in Babergh and Mid Suffolk and I wish everyone on the shortlist the very best of luck."

Find out more and book a free ticket for the 2020 Innovation Awards by visiting: www.Babergh.gov.uk/innovationawards

2020 Innovation Awards - Shortlist

1. Shooting Star - Most innovative company, sponsored by Scrutton Bland

Dough & Co Woodfired Pizza

Personal Training Centre

1. Rising Star - Young innovator of the year, sponsored by University of Suffolk

Chloe Davis & Sophie Tapscott @ The Mix

Piers Brady @ Orbital Media

1. Tomorrow's World - Innovation in future technology

Acorn Bots Ltd

Halo Service Solutions

1. Innovation in Customer Service, sponsored by Larking GowenThis award will be given to a sole trader or company that demonstrates the best application of new methods, practice and technology - to improve the customer experience. This award recognises the best practice in delivering innovation in customer experience.

Shotley Premier Stores and Post Office

1. High Street Innovation, sponsored by Central Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Councils

This award recognises successful implementation of innovative strategies, products, procedures or technology to promote successful trading on the high street.

Duck In Boots

1. Innovation in Sustainability, sponsored by EO Charging

This award is for any business that demonstrates a contribution to sustainability or energy-saving technologies that lower their carbon footprint.

Challs International Ltd

1. Innovation in Healthcare, sponsored by Orbital Media

This award recognises research, development or businesses using emerging technology within the animal and human health sector.

Gymophobics, Sudbury

1. Future Food - Future in sustainable food technologies, sponsored by

This award recognises innovation in the food and agriculture sector.

Applewood Acres Market Garden

1. Innovation in Construction, sponsored by Norse

This award is in recognition of Innovation in construction projects, materials or systems, putting in place creative solutions that result in sustainable homes, workplaces and infrastructure for the future.

Modece Architects Ltd

1. Most Innovative Micro Business, sponsored by Business Growth Coaches Network Ltd

Celebrating a micro business (under 9 employees) that has shown innovation in its business processes and products.

EO Escape Rooms Ltd

1. Most innovative SME, sponsored by Hudson Group

Recognising a small to mid-size enterprise (under 250 employees) that has shown innovation in its business processes and products.

Halo Service Solutions