Hair and Beauty awards are back with a bang!

It’s the hottest date of the year for any hair stylist, beauty therapist or barber in Portsmouth and the surrounding area.

Each year, awards are handed out in 12 categories and recognise good practice – from apprentices all the way up to people who have dedicated their lives to the industry.

The night, which is run by The News, is set to return for the sixth year on Saturday, July 2 at Portsmouth Guildhall.

The event sees hundreds of workers gather together for the ceremony to celebrate the crème de la crème of the industry.

Last year the event was presented by Gina Akers, a leading beauty expert and an experienced TV presenter, who has been on ITV1’s This Morning and Alan Titchmarsh Show.

She said: ‘The hair and beauty industries are highly competitive and there are some amazingly talented and dedicated people working in them. These awards are important to benchmark creativity and skills in these sectors.’

Last year, LA Barbers was picked as Readers’ Choice and Lisa Andrews from the salon was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Other notable winners included The Library Barbers’ Club of Southsea, which won Hair Salon of the Year and Andrew Robertson, of Garbo’s Hair, who won Hairdresser of the Year.

A panel of judges will assess the entries and winners will be announced at the ceremony, after a three-course meal, with a party.

Awards organiser Liz Parker said she hoped that this year will beat last year’s record attendance.

She said: ‘I’m always truly impressed by the talent that shines through during these awards.

‘It is always a fun night, and there are some real characters working in the hair and beauty industry in Portsmouth.

‘I encourage people to enter, and to sponsor, as it’s a great way to shout about how well your business is doing.

‘And it’s a great badge of honour to show to your customers.’

The Good Salon Guide, which has its headquarters in Willis Road, Portsmouth, is one of this year’s sponsors.

Gareth Penn, from the guide, which lists more than 2,000 salons, said: ‘We are a Portsmouth business and so made perfect sense for us to become involved with our local awards.

‘The past evenings have always been really successful and they grow from strength to strength each year.

‘It was an easy decision to make to become involved and we are very excited to be part of these awards.’

For more information on the awards, and for how to enter, go to jpsouthevents.co.uk.

Entries must be submitted by May 20.

Sponsors are still needed for the awards – for more information call Liz Parker, events co-ordinator, on (023) 9262 2206 or e-mail [email protected].

CATEGORIES

Junior Stylist of the Year

Colour Technician of the Year – sponsored by Good Salon Guide

Barber of the Year

Hair Stylist of the Year

Best Bridal/Special Occasion Stylist of the Year - sponsored by Portsmouth Cultural Trust

Hair Salon of the Year

Beauty Therapist of the Year

Nail Technician of the Year

Beauty Salon of the Year

Training Centre of Excellence Award

Apprentice of the Year

Lifetime Achievement

DETAILS

The awards are open to individuals, partnerships, organisations and businesses based in or having a significant presence (mobile services) in The News circulation area.

Entry is by authorised entry form only. Entrants are required to submit whatever statements, testimonials and records they wish. The judges reserve the right to seek extra information or clarification and may request a visit.

Contenders may enter themselves or be nominated by another.

No responsibility will be accepted by the competition organisers for any material sent or any entry lost or delayed in the post. Entries cannot be returned.

Entries will be judged by a panel appointed by The News and to include representatives of the main sponsor and of category sponsor and from the hair and beauty industry.

The winning entries will be announced at a ceremony on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at the Guildhall Portsmouth.

A condition of entry is that entrants co-operate with the media and in particular with The News for the publication of a story about their business (whether before or after the announcement of the winners) and also with any other media coverage given to their business.

Individuals and organisations may enter more than one category.

Entries must be submitted no later than Friday, May 20, 2016.

Entries and photographs/images to be emailed to [email protected] or posted to Liz Parker, The News, 1000 Lakeside, North Harbour, Western Road, Portsmouth PO6 3EN.

The judges’ decision is final.