THE shortlist for the 2019 St Helens Chamber Business Awards have been announced.

Last summer’s inaugural award night was a huge success with attendees on the evening finding it an enjoyable night whether highly commended, award winners or guests attending on the evening.

The judging panel was left with a very difficult task, but here are the shortlisted entrants:

Small Business of the Year – Sponsored by Inspired Energy

• TF Jones Property Services Ltd

• The Filter Design Company

• Wellbeing Enterprises CIC

Export Business of the Year – Sponsored by Brendon International

• ATG Access

• CFE Group (Compound Feed Engineering Ltd)

• The Filter Design Company

Best Use of Technology – Sponsored by Network Space

• Bluebird Care St Helens

• Dynamic Vehicle Rental Ltd

High Growth Business of the Year – Sponsored by NatWest

• Cheshire Retail (NW) Ltd

• Coral Products

• Trinity Logistics Ltd

Family Business of the Year – Sponsored by Knauf Insulation

• CE Bettridge & Sons Ltd

• Dynamic Vehicle Rental Ltd

• The Branded Items Group

Customer Commitment Award – Sponsored by Clickworks

• Accord Legal Services

• Bluebird Care St Helens

• Handepay

• Mercury Hampton

Employer of the Year – Sponsored by Wind in the Willows Childcare

• 360 Resourcing Solutions

• Handepay

• Safer Sphere CHS Ltd

Apprentice of the Year: Under 20 – Sponsored by Helena Homes

• Alex McGrath, Inovus Medical

• Alisha Bryan, Starbank Panel Products Ltd

• Callum Conley, Flamco

• Lucie Ross, Portico Nursery

Apprentice of the Year: Over 20 – Sponsored by Starbank Panel Products

• Abbigail Langtree, Express It

• Elizabeth Cunliffe, Knauf Insulation

• Nicola Walsh, St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

• Reece Buckley, Liverpool One

Kath Boullen, chief executive at St Helens Chamber, said: “It was fantastic to read all the entries and see how well so many of our local businesses are doing, despite a year of uncertainty.

“The standard of entries was very high and I’m confident that we have a very deserving shortlist.”

The winners in each category will be unveiled at the St Helens Chamber Annual Dinner and Business Awards, on Thursday, May 16 at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

The winning businesses will be entered into the national Chamber Awards which take place in London in November.

Kath Boullen adds: “Last year was our first awards and we’re very pleased that they have been so well received.

"Our winners from last year were put forward to the national Chamber Awards and we were delighted to have four finalists amongst our members who went down to the national finals in London.”

For more information or to book tickets for the event call 01744 742028 or email events@sthelenschamber.com.