The finalists of the Leicestershire Business Awards 2011 have been unveiled.

Twenty companies are vying for the right to be named the best business in the county.

The awards, in association with the Leicester Mercury, attracted almost 100 entries which was whittled down to a shortlist of three for each of the seven categories. One of the category winners will be named Leicestershire Business of the Year, sponsored by Bray & Bray Solicitors.

Judges will visit each of the finalists to see how the businesses work day-to-day.

The winners will then be announced at a gala dinner at De Montfort Hall, Leicester, on April 8, sponsored by Freeth Cartwright, Prospect Leicestershire and RSM Tenon.

Last year, Bott, of Ashby, which converts vans into commercial vehicles, was named Leicestershire Business of the Year and also took the Investing in Leicestershire prize.

Other winners since the awards began in 1993 include Triumph Motorcycles, of Hinckley, insulation company Mark Group, of Beaumont Leys and haulage business Pall-Ex (UK), of Ellistown.

Ian Lewis, of Bray & Bray Solicitors, in Leicester, said: "To have achieved the standards to reach this year's shortlist in these difficult times is a tribute to the finalists and their employees.

"The winner of Leicestershire Business of the Year will therefore be a business that has overcome the challenges of the current economic climate to demonstrate a truly remarkable performance."

Judge Patric Phelan, of RSM Tenon, said: "This year has seen some very exciting applications, which made it very difficult to shortlist the finalists for this year's awards."

It has been estimated that finalists benefit from a total promotional package worth £100,000.

It has also previously been claimed that winning one of the awards could potentially be worth millions of pounds to a company.

Almost 600 business people are expected at the gala dinner, for which there are only a limited number of dinner places remaining.

Call 0845 130 2866 or e-mail:

info@woweffect.co.uk

www.bizawards.co.uk

Customer Service Excellence

Cert Octavian

Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete

Lavendon Access Services

Sales & Marketing

50 Cycles

BabyStyle UK

Saladworks

Investing in Leicestershire – sponsored by Leicestershire County Council

Bakers Waste Services Limited

Brett & Randall Limited

Sytner Leicester

Success Through People – sponsored by De Montfort University

Cert Octavian

Lavendon Access Services

Self Unlimited

Creative Business

N S C Creative

Newenglish Design

Standout UK

Entrepreneur of the Year

Mo Bham, of Imperial International

Richard Parris, of Intercede Group

David Hayle, of P J D Group

New Business – sponsored by Harvey Ingram

Bramatt Computing

The Attic Room

Jam Jar Shop