Shropshire Chamber Business Awards 2018 finalists announced

The finalists for the 2018 competition have been revealed – and the company of the year competition is a battle between businesses with bases in Telford, Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth and Oswestry.

The foursome in the running for the title are Furrows Limited, Grainger and Worrall, Paveaways and Pure Telecom.

There are 14 award categories this year – plus the John Clayton Award for outstanding contribution to the business community, and a special prize for a Telford-based business, being run by the local authority as part of the town's 50th birthday celebrations.

In the customer service category, Park House Hotel in Shifnal, CLCA Nursing in Shrewsbury, David Dexters in Bridgnorth and XscapeNow! in Telford came out on top.

In the best new business 1-5 employees category, is Lower House Equine Clinic, HR Solutions Shropshire, 3D Printz Limited and double-shortlisters, XscapeNow!.

In the 6-20 employees category, Evans Halshaw Car Store in Shrewsbury, On the Move Education Group, Button & Bear Children's Bookshop in Shrewsbury and Beaver Bridges Limited in Shrewsbury have all been recognised.

The best online business category, which launched in 2017, saw Wood's of Shropshire, Wrekin Water Softeners, Purition Ltd and CJ WildBird Foods Ltd shortlisted.

Richard Sheehan, chief executive at the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "This year we received an exceptionally high volume of entries for all 15 of our categories, and to a very high standard, which made the final selection process quite challenging for our judges.

"We have an incredibly diverse range of businesses in our county and it was important for us to open up more categories to businesses which otherwise may have not entered. It's also great to see many returning businesses, and many new organisations names in the running. Special thanks go to all of our award sponsors who continue to help make this annual celebration such a success.”

The technology, enterprise and innovation category saw Stallion AI Services, Purple Frog Systems, Bronze Software Labs and Grainger and Worrall Ltd shortlisted.

Ceremony

In the international trade category, Stallion AI Services, TT Pumps, TIA (GB) Ltd and CJ WildBird Foods Ltd were selected as finalists.

A new category for 2018 is environmental innovation, recognising companies in the region which have introduced or developed innovative environmental practices, processes or technology either for their own businesses or within their markets. ProcureLED Ltd, Hobsons Brewery, Lingard Farrow Styles and Reviive conquered the category.

The winners will be announced at the glittering black-tie ceremony at Telford's International Centre on June 15. Tickets are now on sale at shropshirebusinessawards.co.uk.

The John Clayton Award will be the final award presented on the evening of the Shropshire Chamber Business Awards to the nominated person who has significantly contributed to the community within Shropshire over the past 12 months.

Unlike other awards, the John Clayton Award required nominations not applications. The Shropshire Chamber Board members will review all nominations and select the winner.

Full list of finalists:

Company of the Year, sponsored by Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council:

• Furrows Ltd

• Pave Aways near Oswestry

• Pure Telecom in Shrewsbury

• Grainger and Worrall Ltd in Bridgnorth

Customer Service, sponsored by Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust:

• Park House Hotel in Shifnal

• CLCA Nursing in Shrewsbury

• David Dexters in Bridgnorth

• XscapeNow! in Telford

Best New Business (1-5 employees), sponsored by Furrows Ltd:

• Lower House Equine Clinic near Oswestry

• HR Solutions Shropshire in Telford

• 3D Printz Limited in Telford

• XscapeNow!

Best New Business (6-20 employees), sponsored by Furrows Ltd:

• Evans Halshaw Car Store in Shrewsbury

• On the Move Education Group

• Button & Bear Children’s Bookshop in Shrewsbury

• Beaver Bridges Limited in Shrewsbury

Best Online Business, sponsored by Reech:

• Wood’s of Shropshire near Church Stretton

• Wrekin Water Softeners near Whitchurch

• Purition Ltd in Shrewsbury

• CJ WildBird Foods Ltd near Shrewsbury

Technology, Enterprise and Innovation, sponsored by the University of Wolverhampton:

• Stallion AI Services near Whitchurch

• Purple Frog Systems in Telford

• Bronze Software Labs in Telford

• Grainger and Worrall Ltd

International Trade, sponsored by Global Freight Services:

• Stallion AI Services

• TT Pumps near Market Drayton

• TIA (GB) Ltd in Telford

• CJ WildBird Foods Ltd

Environmental Innovation, sponsored by University Centre Shrewsbury:

• ProcureLED Ltd in Telford

• Hobsons Brewery in Cleobury Mortimer

• Lingard Farrow Styles in Shrewsbury

• Reviive in Shrewsbury

Best Manufacturer, sponsored by Barclays:

• Fabdec in Ellesmere

• Northwood Hygiene Products in Telford

• Grainger and Worrall Ltd

• Protolabs Ltd in Telford

Best Small Business (1-5 employees), sponsored by Nick Jones Wealth Planning:

• Charlies at the Old Mill Tearooms

• Jungle HR Ltd in Telford

• Shropshire Festivals Ltd in Telford

• Purple Frog Systems in Telford

Best Small Business (6+ employees), sponsored by Nick Jones Wealth Planning:

• David Dexters in Bridgnorth

• Harrier Fluid Power T/A Flowfit in Ludlow

• Salon Ten Limited in Much Wenlock

• IN2 Access and Control Ltd in Oswestry

Apprenticeships, sponsored by Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology:

• Morris Joinery in Shrewsbury

• Shrewsbury Colleges Group

• Qube (Oswestry Community Action)

• Telford College

Business in the Community, sponsored by Aaron & Partners LLP:

• Beaumont Financial Planners Ltd in Oswestry

• Bridgnorth Aluminium Ltd

• Reech Media Group in Shrewsbury

• Clear Design Consultancy in Shrewsbury

Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality, sponsored by West Midlands Reserve Forces & Cadets Association:

• Climbing the Walls Ltd in Shrewsbury

• Buckatree Hall Hotel in Telford

• The Wroxeter near Shrewsbury