THURROCK'S MP Jackie Doyle-Price has endorsed a competition that celebrates the successes of small shops and recognises the vital role they have played during the Covid-19 crisis.

The Best Small Shops Competition is open to any small shop and is free to enter.

Shopkeepers can nominate their businesses until Friday 11 September via this link. A shortlist will be announced in October with winners announced in November.

The judges will be looking for evidence of a small shops' entrepreneurial spirit, ways that they have been innovative in their business and what they have done to have a lasting positive impact on their community.

The shortlisted small shops will then be in with the chance to win one of five awards, including the newly launched award for small shops response to Covid-19.

Thurrock Nub News also recognises the importance of local shops to our community and promotes and supports them through our free Local Listings. If you would like to boost a local business please click here and follow the simple instructions and we will do the rest.

Highlighting the small shops competition, Ms Doyle-Price said: "Over the past weeks, I have visited numerous small shops that have remained open during lockdown and see first-hand how they adapted Government guidance throughout this difficult time. One thing is for sure, small shops are key to the communities that they serve and that has been evident over the past few months.

"During lockdown it was our shops that kept us fed mainly and many looked out for their most vulnerable customers. I have seen so many examples of our small convenience shops going the extra mile to support the community, you deserve a mention and don't be modest, this is your chance to be recognised as one of our best shop."

More entry guidance is available here.