The Fremantle Chamber of Commerce has taken a leaf from The Logies and put its celebrated business awards in the hands of the voting public.
People will be able to nominate and vote across 15 categories, including for their favourite Fremantle entertainment venue, cafe or restaurant, retail store, tourist attraction and more.
It’s a significant change for the annual awards unveiled as part of the chamber’s 150th anniversary.
Chamber chief executive Chrissie Maus hoped the new approach would unearth the love for hidden gems and old and new businesses in Fremantle, South Fremantle, East Fremantle and Cockburn.
“Our iconic port precinct is a veritable smorgasbord of vibrant indulgences, which is what makes it so hard to declare the cream of our Freo crop, however we are going to do it anyway because you deserve to know who’s raising the bar for food, booze, beauty and more in WA’s most beloved precinct,” Ms Maus said.
Old Bridge Cellars was last year’s big winner, named Fremantle Business of the Year after also taking out the retail category for the second time.
Other categories that will be awarded in October include accommodation, bar, marine and engineering, business and service enterprises, sustainable enterprise, hair and beauty, health and wellness, international trade, creative industries and property development.
Businesses older than 10 years can be nominated for the chamber’s Hall of Fame.
The process of nominating a business is also in the hands of the public and begins this Tuesday, August 1.
Fremantle mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said giving people a vote on behalf of their favourite business was a Fremantle thing to do.
“The passion that people feel for everything Fremantle includes our businesses,” she said.
“So many of our cafes, pubs and shops are like institutions to the people of Fremantle who have been going to them for years, if not decades.
“We also have some innovative businesses in Fremantle that are working to solve climate change, developing new technologies and creating new sustainable products.”