The countdown is on – New England region’s most hotly contested community vote is back, and this year’s Best in the New England (BITNE) is shaping up to be the fiercest yet.
Every July, readers across the New England region choose the businesses, tradies, and services they simply cannot live without. From Tamworth to Tenterfield, Armidale to Inverell, the BITNE competition celebrates the local operators who make this region tick. But if you want your favourite to take the title, you need to get in and vote each day.
Do not underestimate how close these races can get. Past years have seen categories decided by a handful of votes, with passionate locals rallying behind their favourites right up until the final hour. Businesses that look like clear frontrunners can be overtaken in the closing days when a community gets behind its own.
That means every single vote counts. If you have a mechanic who always goes above and beyond, a café that never misses, or a hardware store that genuinely knows its stuff, now is the time to back them.
One of the things that makes BITNE different this year is that the categories themselves have been decided by you. We can’t have every business type you can imagine, but this year, readers voted which industries should be recognised – and we have some different categories up this year.
Some long-standing categories have not made the cut this time around. Beautician and jeweller, both enduring favourites in previous years, have been voted out by readers who wanted to see different industries recognised.
In their place, some new categories reflect the region’s growing industries and everyday needs.
Earth moving and demolition is now a standalone category, a nod to the vital role these operators play across the New England North West’s farming, mining, and construction sectors.
Cleaner has also entered the mix for the first time, recognising the tradespeople and small businesses that keep homes and workplaces running.
These changes mean the field is wide open. With newer categories, there are no dominant past winners to overcome and no established frontrunners to chase down. It is a genuine contest from day one.
Winning a BITNE category comes with more than bragging rights, though there will be plenty of those too.
Every winner receives a 50 per cent off advertising voucher with the New England Times, which can be transferred to another business or even a charity if they choose. Winners will also be offered exclusive advertising deals and a dedicated story celebrating their win, putting their business in front of the readership that voted for them.
To make it easy to shout about the result, winners receive a certificate and a social media graphic ready to share. Whether it goes on the wall, the counter, or the business’s Facebook page, it is a tangible way to show the community their support was recognised.
But the real prize is what comes after: the reputation, the new customers, and the knowledge that the New England voted you the best.
It is not just businesses with something to gain. Every week during the voting period, one voter will win $100 simply for having their say.
There is no complicated entry process. Vote for your favourite local businesses and you are automatically in the draw. The more weeks you vote, the more chances you have to win.
Plus the real bragging rights are in the town versus town tally. Will Inverell and Armidale dominate again? Or is there another town in New England that wants it more?
Spread the word. Tell your neighbours, share it on your socials, and remind your family to vote. If everyone who relies on a local business took two minutes to back them, the results will tell the story of how much we value the local businesses that are such a strong part of our communities.
Voting opens on 1 July, with a new category to vote in each day. You do not need to vote in every category, so even if you only have one or two businesses you are passionate about, get those votes in.
Best in the New England is a celebration of what makes this region great. Make sure your voice is counted.
Best in the New England is a promotion to support our great local businesses run every year by New England Times. Support us so we can support the community by making a donation today.