A COMPETITION aiming to reward the success of businesses in the Gwent area has announced a full list of its finalists.

This year, the Monmouthshire Business Awards (MBA) have expanded to cover ‘Old Monmouthshire’ – towns and cities that were part of the county prior to 1965.

The contest has accepted entries from Monmouthshire, Newport, Caerleon, Cwmbran, Ebbw Vale, Usk and Caerphilly and winners will be announced on October 6 this year.

The competition has several categories and finalists for the Best Small Business award, sponsored by Spectrum, include Axis Chiropractic in Newport, King’s Financial Services in Pontypool, Welsh ICE in Caerphilly and Miracle Workers in Abergavenny.

The shortlist for the Excellence in Manufacturing award, sponsored by Reid Lifting, includes HJ Weir Engineering, Chepstow, Keen Attachments, Caldicot and Capital Valley Plastics in Cwmavon.

For Hospitality, Travel and Tourism, sponsored by Celtic Manor Resort), Chepstow Racecourse, The Whitebrook in Monmouth and The Lion Hotel, Blaenavon are in the running.

Company of the Year, sponsored by Hicks Logistics, has shortlisted Newport’s Tiny Rebel Brewing, Estuary Oils in Rogiet and Premier Forest Products, Newport.

Excellence in Small Food and Drink Producers, sponsored by Monmouthshire Housing Association, includes Blaenafon Cheddar Company, Blaenavon, Tiny Rebel Brewing, Newport and White Castle Vineyard in Abergavenny.

Other awards aim to recognise the work of individuals.

This includes the Young Apprentice award, sponsored by Y Prentis, which has shortlisted Ellie Curtis of Little Tigers Daycare in Rogiet, Russell Beale of Vinci in Newport and Chester Maclean Rowles of Lovell, Cardiff.

The Young Entrepreneur award, sponsored by Coleg Gwent, has nominated Emily Hicks of Emily Hicks Creative Design in Caerphilly, Owen Richards of Big Lemon Creative in Caerphilly and Michael McLeod of UniGreenScheme in Mamhilad.

The New Business Start-Up, sponsored by Business in Focus, has shortlisted Help4Wales Foundation in Caerphilly, HMO Heaven in Newport and Horton’s Coffee House in Newport.

Excellence in Innovation, sponsored by A2Z Computing, has shortlisted Siltbuster in Monmouth, Capital Valley Plastics in Cwmavon and Flame Protect UK, Abertillery.

Final awards include Excellence in Marketing, sponsored by Hello Starling, which has shortlisted Axis Chiropractic in Newport, AluK in Chepstow and Impact School Improvement in Caerphilly.

The Excellence in Exporting and International Trade award, sponsored by MBA, has shortlisted Reid Lifting in Chepstow, Keen Attachments in Caldicot and HJ Weir Engineering in Chepstow.

Additional MBA sponsors this year are Torfaen County Borough Council, Broomfield Alexander, Chepstow Racing, AluK and Friars Walk.

MBA founder and director Janet Harris said: “The significant increase in entries has fully justified our decision to expand the geographical area for this year’s awards.

“We will be filming all the finalists over the next few weeks, ready for what I am sure will be our biggest and best presentation evening and gala dinner.”

Finalists can purchase tickets for the gala dinner, at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on October 6, online. See www.monbizawards.co.uk