SOME of the biggest names inbusiness can trace their roots to humble beginnings.

Many of Huddersfield’s major companies began life as veritable cottage industries – in back bedrooms, garages and sheds – before expanding to employ hundreds of people and generate millions of pounds for themselves and the local economy.

The Examiner Business Awards recognises the importance of nurturing fledgling firms with its category of New Business of the Year.

The category is open to business that began trading after January 1, 2009.

The winner may be a young company that has brought a fantastic new product to market or found a niche area that gives it an edge over more established firms.

Judges will want to hear about the efforts and achievements of hard working and determined entrepreneurs – and their plans to grow to fully-fledged businesses.

Government statistics show a decline in the number of new business starts.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics for 2008 – the latest available – show there were 270,000 business “births” in the UK giving a rate of 11.6%

That compares with 281,000 or 12.3% the previous year and reflects the impact of the recession on start-ups.

However, there is ample support for start-ups – through organisations including Business Link and initiatives such as Huddersfield University’s Business Mine.

Certainly, there has been no shortage of high-calibre entrants in the New Business of the Year category.

Last year’s winner was talented milliner, jeweller, make-up artist and hairdresser Harriet Steele, whose business offers a bespoke service for brides-to-be, their mothers, bridesmaids and other wedding guests.

The judges were impressed by how the Holmfirth designer found a niche in a crowded market by providing a high-value, customer-led service.

Harriet also scored highly for her hard work in gaining teaching qualifications and winning accolades from the likes of City and Guilds, the National Hairdressing Federation, the World Skills Challenge and the Haberdashers Guild.

Other previous winners in this category have similarly gone on to enjoy further success.

They include cake-making business Proper Maid, which won the trophy in 2008.

Owner Allison Whitmarsh went on to win the category for bakery product in the 2009 Deliciouslyorkshire Awards, run by the Regional Food Group.

Earlier this year, she impressed judges in the north-east regional finals of the HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards.

Now she is hoping to fly the flag for the region in the national finals later this year – and get a shot at landing the top prize of £30,000.