Nominations are being sought for the 2007/2008 Building Cleanability Awards throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

The Awards, promoted by the cleaning industry’s Livery Company - The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners - are aimed to draw attention to the increasingly important relationship between good building design and effective cleaning.

"The cleaning needs of a building are often addressed after completion of building or refurbishment work," said awards spokesman Graham Jones. "Given that the ambience of any building depends quite significantly on the level of cleanliness maintained, the subject of cleanability and the early identification of cleaning needs are issues which require a higher profile at the design and construction stages of building development. Considerable savings in building operational costs can be achieved where cleanability issues have been properly taken into account."

The British Cleaning Council is patron of the Awards, with further sponsorship provided by The British Institute of Cleaning Science, Karcher (UK), ISS (UK) and LCC Cleaning and Support Services and Mayflower Washroom Solutions. The Awards are also supported by a number of professional body partners, including The British Institute of Facilities Management, The Chartered Institute of Building, The Cleaning and Support Services Association, The Health and Safety Executive, The Royal Institute of British Architects, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management.

There are 10 entry categories, covering commercial, public, education, transport, heritage, retail, health, leisure, hospitality and sports buildings, anywhere in the UK and Ireland. Nominations can be made by building owners, architects, occupiers or contractors, as well as building management or construction companies - up until 31 December 2007.

All buildings entered for a Cleanability Award receive a detailed assessment visit by a qualified Awards assessor, followed by a Cleanability Assessment Grading. There are National Awards for each category of entry, together with overall Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards for the top three buildings.

There are also two Special Awards - one for new build projects and one for refurbishment projects, both completed within twelve months of occupation, as well as an Award for the most 'environmentally aware' building. A prestigious Awards presentation luncheon will take place on Monday 30 June 2008, in The Great Hall of London's famous Guildhall.

Nominations can be made online via the Awards website: www.cleanabilityawards.co.uk or via e-mail: information@ cleanabilityawards.co.uk.

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Quartz Publishing & Exhibitions Ltd, publisher of Cleaning & Maintenance and organiser of the Cleaning Show, Carpex and Windex, has recently become a corporate sponsor of the Building Cleanability Awards. Martin Scott, exhibitions director, said: "We are delighted to be able to help promote the Awards, and to support the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners in its excellent work."