The SLR Awards are coming home!

The SLR Awards are set to return to their traditional slot in June next year in response to overwhelming demand from retailers and partners.

It’s official! The SLR Awards are coming home in 2024, returning to their traditional summer slot in June.

As everyone will be aware, the awards have been held in late autumn for the last few years, thanks to disruption caused by the Covid pandemic, but 2024 will see them return to their natural home on 19 June.

The decision wasn’t taken lightly, but after wide consultation with retailers, partners and sponsors, it became clear that June was a much better time of year to hold the awards and give everyone the time and space in their diary to prepare for what is undoubtedly a highlight of the Scottish local retailing calendar.

The new entry deadline is 21 Feb 2024 so there’s still plenty of time, but make sure you clear some time in the diary in the new year to build your entries and give yourself the best possible chance of being on the stage in June.

SLR Publisher Antony Begley commented: “For almost 20 years the SLR Awards were held in the early summer – and for very good reason. We originally chose that date to avoid clashes with other important industry events and to ensure that retailers had the time they need to prepare their entries properly.

“When we first started talking to retailers and sponsors, for example, it became clear immediately that everyone would welcome a return to June. The chaos left behind by Covid has meant that, unfortunately, many of the key UK industry awards ceremonies and events are now clustered at the back of the year, one of the busiest times of year for retailers – so hardly ideal.

“By returning to June, we believe it will be easier for retailers to get ready and give themselves the best possible chance of winning by preparing their best possible entries.

“It was also clear that it wasn’t ideal for our partners and sponsors to have to organise around so many events in October and November, so it works much better for them too to give the SLR Awards the attention they deserve.

“So it’s full speed ahead for 19 June 2024 and we are thoroughly looking forward to another great event and another fantastic celebration of this fantastic industry. I would encourage all retailers to get June marked off in their diaries and make sure they get their entries in early.”

While there may be a few little surprises at next year’s awards, the heart of the awards will remain exactly as they have always been, and the judges are already looking forward to seeing first hand how this remarkably resilient sector is continuing to progress and evolve as the pandemic edges further into the rear-view mirror.