The winners will be announced at the 2016 Pet Industry Federation Awards dinner, which will take place at Wokefield Park hotel, near Reading on Tuesday, November 1.

The winners will receive their awards from ‘Rimmer’ from Red Dwarf and ‘Mr Brittas’ a.k.a comedian and actor, Chris Barrie, who will then delight the audience with a light-hearted after dinner speech.

It is free for businesses to enter the Pet Industry Federation Awards and to be in with a chance of winning they need to outline, in no more than 500 words, why they think their business should receive the award. Judging criteria is available online at www.petfederation.co.uk.

The deadline for the receipt of entries is Monday, August 1.

The award categories are:

1. Retail Chain of the Year – sponsored by Natures Menu
2. Independent Retailer of the Year - sponsored by Natures Menu
3. Manufacturer of the Year – sponsored by PATS
4. Wholesaler of the Year – sponsored by PATS
5. Exporter of the Year
6. Grooming Business of the Year
7. Kennel or Cattery of the Year
8. Pet Service of the Year
9. Sales Representative of the Year

The PIF Awards are announced following the daytime Pet Industry Forum - a conference aimed at all pet businesses which will look at important issues affecting the pet industry, such as safeguarding the future of the industry; how the specialist channel can survive and looking at pet health opportunities for businesses.

Tickets for the Forum & Awards will be available online at www.petfederation.co.uk