Organisers of the 2022 Merseyside Independent Business Awards have published their shortlist after being inundated with entries. Tony McDonough reports

 

Organisers of the 2022 Merseyside Independent Business Awards (MIBs) say the level of entries for the awards have “exceeded all expectations”.

On Tuesday they published the shortlist. Winners will be announced at a ceremony at Liverpool’s Rum Warehouse on Thursday 20 October. It is the first time the popular event has been held since before the pandemic in 2019.

Retailers, manufacturers, hospitality businesses and creative agencies are joined on the shortlist by construction, pharmaceutical and arts organisations.

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 MIBs 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.

“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

 

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)