WINNING awards is a way to help businesses make more money.

This was the view Peter Pledger, chief executive of South London Business, put to company bosses last Thursday at the launch of the second Croydon Business Awards.

He told his audience at the Fairfield Halls that entering the awards would give businesses a chance to promote themselves and show customers what they had to offer.

Mr Pledger said his organisation recognised Croydon as the centre of south London and cited the DrupalCon technology conference, which attracted 1,800 delegates to Fairfield last year, as proof of the area's importance.

He said: "It was the biggest conference ever held in Croydon and recognised this a great place to do business."

The benefits of winning an award were outlined by Keith Kingham, boss of Kingham Motors in South Croydon, which won the business of the year category last year.

Mr Kingham said: "When times are hard it is even more important to try and raise the profile of your business."

He said the award had helped confirm confidence in the company shown by existing customers and attracted new customers who were confident it was a good company with which to do business.

Entries can be made online at www.croydonbusinesawards.co.uk

The closing dates for entries is March 16 and winners will be announced at a gala dinner being held in the Arnhem Gallery of the Fairfield Halls on May 2.