The Merseyside Independent Business Awards are back and nominations are open now

The Merseyside Independent Business Awards is returning this year, with nominations now open across a range of categories

Having been suspended for the past two years due to Covid-19 restrictions, the popular awards ceremony will once again bring together as many as 500 guests at Liverpool’s Rum Warehouse on Thursday 20 October.

The Merseyside Independent Business Awards were created by Morecrofts Solicitors to shine a light on the economic impact of the region’s independent business owners and leading entrepreneurs.

Firms can be nominated across a total of 14 categories, such as trades and manufacturing, health and wellbeing and creative business, while there are also awards recognising community impact and best employer and a new category for bar of the year, recognising the challenges facing hospitality operators during the pandemic.

Alison Lobb, managing partner at Morecrofts Solicitors, said:

“When we last came together for the MIB Awards in October 2019, we could not have envisaged the personal and professional storm that lay ahead of all of us and we know it has been a particularly difficult period for a lot of smaller business owners.

MIB Awards presenters, daughter and father due, Ellie & Roger Phillips

“I am delighted that the awards are now able to resume and that we can look forward with greater optimism.

“The awards ceremony will be an opportunity for businesses of all shapes and sizes to make a proud return to the spotlight, celebrating each other’s successes, sharing their own experiences with peers and rebuilding bonds within the local independent business community.

“We would encourage businesses, their advisors, suppliers or other peers to put forward their nominations and help us to make this year’s awards a true celebration of the resilience, creativity and quality that characterises Merseyside businesses.”

The awards are headline sponsored by Liverpool BID Company. Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company, said:

“The MIB Awards is one of the most popular events in the professional calendar and it plays an important role in recognising the economic and social contribution of our independent business community.

“We are delighted to continue our long-term support of the awards and we look forward to being back in the company of so many small business owners and their teams in October.”