TONIGHT, Thursday, November 15 will see the finalists of the inaugural Pride of St Helens Business Awards gather at Saints' Totally Wicked Stadium for a celebration of outstanding business achievers across the borough.

The awards aim to raise the profile of the borough’s hardworking, innovative and enterprising business community and build on the Pride of St Helens community awards, which were founded by the Steve Prescott Foundation and the St Helens Star in 2012.

The awards evening for the Pride of St Helens Business Awards will be held tonight on Thursday, November 15 at Saints' Totally Wicked Stadium in partnership with the Star and the SPF.

The Pride of St Helens awards, including the categories, Child of Courage, Young Community Star, Young Sportsperson of the Year, Charity Champion, Arts Award, Courage Award, Leadership Award, Unsung Hero Award, Sportsperson of the year and the Pride of St Helens Award will take place on Friday, November 16.

Speaking ahead of the business awards, Eamonn McManus, chairman of both the St Helens Economy Board and St Helens RFC, said: “These awards will celebrate the role of St Helens businesses and social enterprises in raising the profile of St Helens.

"While we can only present awards to a select few, it is the collective diligence of all local businesses that make St Helens an attractive place to invest, live, work, learn and visit, by nurturing pride and aspirations, and creating inspiration and employment opportunities.”

St Helens Council leader, Derek Long said: “The quality and creativity of businesses and their staff in St Helens borough is breath-taking.

"It’s no wonder businesses are investing here. Congratulations to everyone who entered. You are an asset to our local economy.”

Sponsors of the awards include Natwest, Knauf Insulation, Unite the Union, St Helens College, St Helens Theatre Royal, Steve Prescott Foundation, DC&A Financial Planning, Global Mutual, Halton and St Helens Voluntary and Community Action, Lucam Consultancy, and Cultivate.

Full list of finalists follows:

Community Impact

Apex Charitable Trust

Co-op Lea Green Distribution Centre

Groundwork

Growing the Creative Industry

Jamm Studios

St Helens Theatre Royal

Vinyline Graphics

Employee/Team of the Year

Boots – Jodie Sefton

Groundwork – Amy Dawber

Ibis Styles –'Mauricio Dorta Vinas

Waterside Training Ltd – Kathryn Kirby

Employer of the Year

Boots

Communication Plus Ltd

Handepay

Excellence in Logistics

DriverNet

Proactive Despatch Ltd

Nijman/Zeetank

Excellence in Manufacturing

Coral Products Ltd

Inovus Medical

The Filter Design Company

Medium/Large Business

Handepay

Longworth Building Services Ltd

Network Space

Skills for the Future

Carmel College

Cowley International College

Mill Green School

Small Business 10-49 Employees

Compound Feed Engineering Ltd

ODs

Safer Sphere

Small Business <10 Employees

Forsters Farm Shop

Heaven Sent

Phoenix Plant Based Eatery

Growing the Visitor Economy

Theatre Royal

Saints Rugby Club

Haydock Racecourse