Residents of a North East city can win £1,000 in gift cards if their favourite local business wins a national competition.

The UK's Favourite Local Business competition, backed by the Sunderland Gift Card, aims to spotlight local enterprises.

All types of businesses, including shops, restaurants, salons, hotels, and attractions, are eligible to win the title of the UK's Favourite Local Business 2024.

People can nominate their favourite local business for free at lovelocalwin.co.uk, providing the name of the business and a reason for their nomination.

The business with the most nominations will be crowned the UK's Favourite Local Business and will receive a £500 Town & City Gift Card, such as the Sunderland Gift Card.

One person who nominated the winning business will receive a £1,000 Town & City Gift Card.

Led by Sunderland BID, the Sunderland Gift Card is an initiative to encourage local shopping in the city.

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More than 190 businesses, including big brands and independents, are part of the initiative.

Sharon Appleby, chief executive of Sunderland BID, said: "We’re fortunate to have many outstanding local businesses in Sunderland who offer top-notch customer service, unique products and services, and contribute hugely to making our city a vibrant, interesting place to live and work.

"Whether it’s your local boutique, salon, restaurant, or hotel, shine a light on their business by nominating them to be Britain’s best.

"Being nominated as the UK’s Favourite Local Business would be a huge boost for any business."

Colin Munro, managing director of Miconex, said: "We’re pleased to launch the search to find the UK’s Favourite Local Business in Sunderland as we champion ‘shop local’ in the run-up to Christmas.

"Nominating a business is one way to show your support for local businesses, and we’ll be celebrating nominations as they come in."

The competition closes on October 31, 2024.