Organisers of the Merseyside Independent Business Awards are busy today getting set for the awards dinner this evening at Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel and Rum Warehouse, which will see over 450 representatives and champions of independent businesses gather together.

The Merseyside Independent Business Awards organised by Morecrofts are now in their second year and saw nominations in their hundreds from businesses across a range of sectors, from hair and beauty to manufacturing.

Businesses were asked to submit a short proposal to argue their position as a leading independent business. From the submissions received, short lists were decided by a panel of judges in August, with winners being selected last month.

Judges included high level representatives from Liverpool Vision, Professional Liverpool, Liverpool and Sefton Chamber of Commerce, Social Enterprise Network and The Liverpool BID Company as well as successful local business owners, council representatives and entrepreneurs.

Jenny Stewart, chief executive at Liverpool and Sefton Chamber of Commerce said:

“To decide short lists from the nominations received, based on the strengths of the business, was difficult enough; to determine winners was almost impossible. It has been a difficult task, but a thoroughly enjoyable one and it’s been incredibly heartening to actually see in front of us what a vibrant and diverse independent business community we have here in the Liverpool City Region.”

Winners will be announced at a black tie dinner this evening, hosted by YBtv’s Ellie Phillips and her father, BBC broadcaster Roger Phillips.