Halton two make the Enterprise shortlist

TWO contenders from Runcorn and Widnes are among the finalists in the Enterprise Vision Awards (EVA).

Amy Peters, of Runcorn and Creature Comforts Cheshire, is in the running the New Business Of The Year category while Anna Jenkins, of Widnes and Silky Bouquets, is shortlisted for the Retail Award.

A competition spokeswoman said judges had completed weeks of deliberation before deciding who made the grade for the finals.

The EVA event was launched in 2011 and recognises the achievements of the region’s businesswomen.

The spokeswoman said entries are at an all-time high, with 102 companies from across the North West qualifying as finalists.

Each contender will now face a judging panel before the winners will be announced on Friday, September 23, at a ceremony at Blackpool Winter Gardens.

Heather Waters, regional enterprise manager of headline sponsor NatWest, said: “It’s our fourth year of being the headline sponsor of the EVAs, and we are proud to support these awards as well as being involved in the judging process.It’s always inspiring to see the quality of women-led businesses based in the North West.

“Supporting women in business is part of NatWest’s enterprise strategy across the UK and we are pleased to have over 30 front-line business banking staff in the North of England with Charter Bank accreditation in women in business.

“We look forward to this year’s awards ceremony and celebrating with the winners.

Coral Horn, founder of the Pink Link Ladies networking group and EVAs organiser, said: “The hard work starts now for all these ladies but for me, it’s the best bit.

“Seeing the businesses come in and pitch to the judges is great, a lot of effort is put in and all the judges have some very tough decisions to make.

“We’ve a wide range of entrants from across the North West so it really shows how far the EVAs has come since it first started in 2011.

“The awards really do shine a light on those that have passion and the determination to make a real difference to their business.”

The EVAs judging process is a mix of public nomination with a stringent round of judging and an interview with a panel of business professionals. Public votes can be cast at www. enterprisevisionawards.co.uk

The public votes form a minority share and are graded before being combined with the judges’ scores to choose the overall winner.

For more information visit www.enterprisevisionawards. co.uk