Independent businesses from across Merseyside remain on the road to success in this year’s MIB Awards.
From Absolute Body Solutions and Baltic Bespoke to YogaNation and Zeus Tech Solutions, a wide variety of ambitious, successful local outfits are among the finalists.
Retailers, manufacturers, hospitality businesses and creative agencies are joined on the list by construction, pharmaceutical and arts organisations.
The hugely popular MIB (Merseyside Independent Business) Awards returns this year following a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic. The winners will be announced at Liverpool’s Rum Warehouse on Thursday 20 October.
The awards were created by Morecrofts Solicitors to showcase the positive social and economic impact that independent business owners and leading entrepreneurs have on the city region.
Alison Lobb, managing partner of Morecrofts Solicitors, said:
“When we announced the return of the MIB Awards this year, we knew it would be welcome news among the local business community, but the level of response has exceeded all expectations.
“The quality and quantity of entries has been incredible and this is reflected in the calibre of firms that have made the shortlist. It really is the A to Z of outstanding local businesses.
“For many, it will be their first chance to shine in front of their peers since 2019 and, no matter who tops the podium on the night, it promises to be a wonderful celebration of our shared achievements as a community.”
The awards are headline sponsored by Liverpool BID Company. Its chief executive, Bill Addy, said:
“Here at Liverpool BID Company, we’re so proud of the incredible entries this year at the Merseyside Independent Business Awards.
“We’re delighted to be able to celebrate these independent businesses who have had such a tough two years but have shown up every day, who have championed their peers and their industries and deserve to be recognised. This year we see some of the best quality ever and we see it being an especially tough job for the judges involved. Good luck!”
Firms have been shortlisted across a total of 13 categories, as follows:
Trades / Manufacturing Business
Baltic Bespoke
Dams Furniture
Ecogee
Hemsec Manufacturing
Kimpton Ltd
Best Start Up
Contact Sport
Doogle’s Donuts & Coffee
Hatter’s Digital Agency
Skywriters
The Fermentation Station
Digital & Technology Business
BreezeMove
Flare – K-Safe
Hexsor Scientific
Zeus Tech Solutions
Community Impact
Big Help Trading
dot-art
Wellbeing Enterprises
Bar of the Year
BoBo
Future Yard
Kazimier Garden
The Bard
Culture & Tourism
Epstein Theatre
Future Yard CIC
Invisible Wind Factory
Tales from the Necropolis
Employer of the Year
92 Degrees
Caring Connections
The Big Help Project
Retailer of the Year
Blankstone Opticians
Booker Flowers & Gifts
Owen Drew
Purple Carrot
Wongs Jewellers
Professional Services Business
Avrenim Group
Bathgate Business Finance
Financial Planning Corporation
Langton Genealogy
Medicash
Creative Business
hi-impact consultancy
Hitch Marketing
Merseymade
Ph. Creative
Poke Marketing
Health & Wellbeing
Absolute Body Solutions
Caring Connections
Evolving Mindset
The Zone
YogaNation Wellbeing Hub
Restaurant of the Year
Antonio’s Bar & Grill
Delifonseca Dockside
Duke Street Food & Drink Market
Lerpwl
Pierre Griffe’s Café Bar & Bistro
Businessperson of the Year
Dr Natalie Kenny (BioGrad)
Louise Gillespie (Jessie & Co)
Simon Krol (Krol Corlett Construction)
Stephen Lucas (Zeus Tech Solutions)