BUSINESSES are in the spotlight this month as the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026 competition launches, with Chester BID encouraging residents and visitors to nominate the locals they love.
The free competition gives people the opportunity to nominate a favourite local business and explain why they think it deserves to be recognised.
Shops, restaurants, salons, hotels, attractions and other local services across Chester are all eligible.
There are £2,000 worth of Town & City Gift Cards up for grabs, with the business receiving the most nominations nationally winning a £1,000 Town & City Gift Card.
Those who voted for the winner will also be in with the chance to win a £1,000 Town & City Gift Card for nominating.
Chester BID is also offering a £500 Chester Gift Card to the city business with the most nominations in the competition. If this is also the business which wins UK’s Favourite Local Business overall, the £500 Chester Gift Card prize will go to the Chester business with the second highest number of nominations in the competition.
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Ian Macdonald, from Chester BID said: “Chester’s city centre businesses are at the heart of what makes our city so special, and we want to see them get the recognition they deserve.
“We’re backing The UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026 competition as it’s a fantastic opportunity to put Chester’s businesses firmly in the spotlight nationally. It’s free to nominate and over £2,000 in Town & City Gift Cards are up for grabs.
“So, if there’s a Chester business you love, take a moment to nominate them and show your support, it could make a real difference.”
Introduced in 2020, the Chester Gift Card can now be spent at more than 150 businesses across the city, spanning national brands including Lush, Marks & Spencer, Reiss and Sweaty Betty, alongside independent businesses such as Chester Boutique, Chapters Book Bar, Suzie K and Pastry Pédaleur.
Participating businesses also include hotels such as The Chester Grosvenor and The Hotel Chester, salons including The Scented Garden Retreat and Your Chester Spa, attractions such as Picturehouse, Storyhouse, The Hole In Wand and Chester Boat, and eateries including Chez Jules, Zügers, Hickory’s Smokehouse, Artezzan and Upstairs at the Grill.
Both physical and digital versions of the card are available for customers as gifts and organisations as rewards.
As the Chester Gift Card can only be spent with registered businesses in Chester, it provides tangible support for local businesses.
The Chester Gift Card is part of the multi-award winning Town & City Gift Cards concept from fintech Miconex.
Enter the UK’s Favourite Local Business competition free at: www.lovelocalwin.co.uk
The competition closes on November 30, 2026.
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