Hartlepool's Business Awards are cancelled until further notice to 'minimise spread of Coronavirus'

The announcement was made today by Hartlepool Borough Council which took the decision ‘in the best interests of public and staff’.

It comes after Government advice on non-essential contact to try and minimise the spread of the Coronavirus.

The awards were to be held on Thursday, May 21, at the Borough Hall.

But a council statement said: “In the light of Government advice on avoiding non-essential social contact, Hartlepool Borough Council has taken the decision to cancel all events until further notice, including the Hartlepool Business Awards which were due to take place on May 21 in the Borough Hall.”

Categories which are contested in the awards include the Overall Business of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, Service Sector, Best Small Business, Most Promising Business and the Creative Industries Business of the Year.

Other categories include the Community Award, Investment in Training, Young Entrepreneur, Tourism, Leisure & Hospitality Business of the Year, and Business Leader of the Year.

The council statement said the decision to cancel the event was ‘made in the best interests of the public and staff, and while we are sorry for any inconvenience and disappointment which this will cause, we are sure you will appreciate that we have a responsibility to try to minimise the spread of Coronavirus.

“We will continue to review the situation in line with future Government guidance and will issue updates as appropriate.”

For wider council information and updates, visit www.hartlepool.gov.uk/coronavirus.