What do you get when you combine a Hippy, Graffiti, a Cyberfrog and some Constellations? The answer is the shortlist of candidates for this year’s Merseyside Independent Business Awards.

The awards, organised by Morecrofts Solicitors, are now in their fourth year and aim to recognise the region’s most inspiring entrepreneurs and SMEs.

Shortlisted businesses this year include the Baltic Triangle’s Constellations Bar, website designer Cyberfrog and The Hippy Club, which sells hair extensions and other products made entirely from human hair.

The eclectic list of names continues with mobile catering business Pao!, So Coco Rouge beauty salon, St Helens leisure complex Darkstar Laser and Fritto Italian street food, a Liverpool social enterprise which aims to support vulnerable young adults through cookery courses.

Awards for the best employer, professional services firm and eatery have been added to the Merseyside Independent Business Awards this year.

Vying for the coveted Businessperson of the Year award are Graffiti Spirit trio Matthew Farrell, John Ennis and Nick Thomas, Studio Mashbo’s Gavin Sherratt, Jon Kelly of Meet & Potato, Helen Lord from Used Kitchen Exchange and Mark Hensby, founder of Liverpool Gin and Liverpool Organic Brewery.

The awards are headline sponsored by Liverpool BID Company and the winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony at the Rum Warehouse, Stanley Dock on Thursday September 29.

Alison Lobb, managing partner at Morecrofts Solicitors, said:

“Once again, we received dozens of nominations from a diverse range of exceptionally talented, successful independent businesses.

“The sheer wealth of homegrown business talent in Merseyside shone through to our judges, further reinforcing the need for a competition like the MIB Awards.

“Some of the business names are pretty eye-catching too, which again reflects the ambition and confidence which courses through entrepreneurial businesses and I wish them all the very best of luck when the winners are announced in September.”

A full list of the shortlisted businesses is detailed below.

For information about the Merseyside Independent Business Awards ceremony, please visit www.morecrofts.co.uk/mib-awards  or call Rebecca Keegan at Morecrofts Solicitors on 0151 236 8871.

Beauty and Cosmetic Business of the year
* Beauty and Holistic Lounge
* So Coco Rouge
* Revitalaser

Best Independent Place to Dine – Sponsored by Bolland & Lowe
* The Art School Restaurant
* Hardy’s Kitchen
* Miyagi
* 60 Hope Street

Best Independent Place to Stay
* Epic Apart-Hotel
* The Richmond Hotel

Independent Start-up Business of the year – Sponsored by Butterworth Spengler
* Pao!
* The Hippy Club

Independent Business Person of the Year – Sponsored by Wesleyan Bank
* Matthew Farrell, John Ennis and Nick Thomas – Graffiti Spirits
* Mark Hensby – Liverpool Organic Brewery
* Gavin Sherratt – Studio Mashbo
* Jon Kelly – Meet & Potato
* Helen Lord – Used Kitchen Exchange

Community organisation of the Year
* The Brink
* Fritto Italian Street Food
* Fusion 21
* Nyas
* The Whitechapel Centre

Best Independent Creative Business – Sponsored by Bruntwood
* Studio Mashbo
* The Guide Liverpool
* Meet & Potato

Culture and Tourism Business of the Year – Sponsored by Merseyrail
* Constellations
* Darkstar Laser
* Dot-Art
* Sefton Park Palm House

Best Independent Digital and Technology Business
* Abyss
* Connect
* Cyberfrog Design
* Studio Mashbo

Independent Employer of the Year
* Carringtons Catering
* Daisy and Jake Day Nursery
* Fieldway Group
* Health @ Work
* Hi-impact Consultancy

Professional Services Business of the Year – Sponsored by RBS
* One HR
* BWMacfarlane Chartered Accountants
* Joanne Finnrety Recruitment
* Mitchell Charlesworth Accountants

Independent Retailer of the Year
* Delifonseca Dockside
* Dutch Flower Shop
* Liverpool Cheese Company
* Revolver Retail
* The Yog Bar

Trade, manufacturing and Engineering Business of the Year – Sponsored by DSG Accountants
* The Leather Satchel Company
* Power-pipe