The Antrim & Newtownabbey Business Awards 2026 (ANBA’s) are all about recognising the ambition, innovation and excellence that exists right across our local business community. We’re proud to be bringing these awards to life, alongside Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council as our title sponsor.

This is a chance to celebrate the people, businesses and organisations that are helping our borough grow and thrive.

Entries open on Thursday 23rd April and will close on Monday 1st June at 5pm. Finalists will be announced on Thursday 11th June, with winners revealed at a black-tie gala evening on Thursday 1st October at the Dunadry Hotel. We’re also delighted that comedian Neil Delamere will be hosting the night.

The awards are open to businesses of all sizes and sectors, from start-ups and independent retailers to manufacturers, hospitality businesses, transport firms and long-established family businesses.

Entering is a great opportunity to raise your profile, gain recognition from independent judges, and reward your team for their hard work. It’s also a chance to build credibility and visibility within the wider business community.

There are 14 award categories, with the headline Business of the Year award selected from the category winners and presented as the final award of the evening. It will recognise the business that has shown the strongest overall excellence, leadership and impact across the local business community.

Other categories include Rising Star – Young Business Person Award, Excellence in Manufacturing, Excellence in Customer Service, Business Start Up of the Year, Business Growth Award and Outstanding Independent Retailer. The full list of categories and entry details can be found at www.anbawards.com

Emma Garrett, Chief Executive at Mallusk Enterprise Park Ltd, said:

“Antrim and Newtownabbey is home to a hugely diverse and ambitious business community, and these awards are about giving that success the recognition it deserves. We want to hear from businesses of all sizes and from every sector. Whether you are a start-up finding your feet, a long-established employer, or a business leader making a real impact, this is your opportunity to be recognised.”

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick said:

“We are proud to support the launch of the inaugural Antrim & Newtownabbey Business Awards, which will shine a spotlight on the talent, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit that exists right across our borough. Our local businesses are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in driving economic growth, creating jobs and shaping a vibrant place to live and work. These awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise their achievements and celebrate the positive impact they make every day. I would encourage businesses of all sizes and sectors to get involved, share their success stories and take this opportunity to gain the recognition they deserve.”

We’d really encourage businesses not just to enter themselves, but also to nominate others whether that’s a colleague, another business, or an organisation you feel deserves recognition.

At Mallusk Enterprise Park, we’ve been supporting businesses to start and grow for many years, and these awards are a natural extension of that work. We’re passionate about championing local success and shining a light on the incredible work happening across the borough.

There are also still a limited number of sponsorship opportunities available for businesses who want to be part of what we expect to be one of the area’s most high-profile business events.

To find out more, explore the categories, or submit an entry, you can visit www.anbawards.com

And if you have any questions, feel free to get in touch
Media / general enquiries:
Plannd, 02895906110, awards@plannd.co.uk

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