A HOST of Crewe-based businesses are among the contenders in the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2021.

Crewe Alexandra, Crewe Market Hall, Construction Linx Ltd, Cat Community Radio and charities Wishing Well and Motherwell Cheshire are some of the Crewe-based organisations that will be vying for honours at the awards night at Reaseheath College on November 19.

The prestigious ceremony, a highlight on South Cheshire's social calendar for 25 years, was cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

Now the night is set to make a spectacular return and entries have flown in since the awards were announced back in June and with big name sponsors and finalists drawn from a diverse range of local businesses and organisations,

Bidding for glory as Business of the Year (with 25 or more employees) in a category sponsored by Cheshire College South & West, are Crewe Alexandra FC, Right at Home and Ableworld.

Competing for Business of the Year (under 25 employees) sponsored by Hibberts LLP, are Rare Earth Digital, The Nantwich Clinic, Weston Centre Business Hub and Rhino Safety.

Hoping to be crowned South Cheshire's Employer of the Year, sponsored by Assurant, are Safe Opportunities, Rhino Safety and Ansa Environmental Services.

Finalists in the Start Up Business category, sponsored by Right at Home supported by South Cheshire Development Agency are Squeaky Pedal, Star Learners, The Cheese Shop Nantwich and Red Rag Marketing.

Contenders for Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Reaseheath College, are young people from Banks Sheridan, Right at Home and Unipart Rail while Ambassador of the Year, sponsored by Cheshire East Council, sees Safe Opportunities, SCK Group and Crewe Market Hall compete for the gong.

Excellence in Customer Service, sponsored by KPI Recruiting Ltd, sees Can-Training, Aqueduct Marina, The Nantwich Clinic and Point Progress compete while a new category, Excellence in Collaboration, sponsored by Construction Linx Ltd, has David Jewkes Art, Wishing Well charity and Safe Opportunities as contenders.

Contribution to the Community, sponsored by Bentley supported by Cheshire Connect, has The Cat Community Radio, Wishing Well, Crewe Clean Team and Motherwell Cheshire as finalists in what will be a special category this year highlighting efforts to support South Cheshire through challenge.

Champions will be crowned during an Oscar's style ceremony which also features Falklands war hero Simon Weston CBE as guest speaker and showcases the skills of Reaseheath students involved in food preparation and serving as well as floristry and venue decoration.

For those pipped at the post, there will be Highly Commended certificates.

Chamber Chief Executive Paul Colman said: "There's tremendous enthusiasm for celebrating all that is great and good about the local business community after an unprecedented 18 months. The finalists have been specially selected for not only excellence in their category but resilience, spirit and kindness to others.

"Win or lose, all they can be proud of the contribution they make to South Cheshire. The Chamber is delighted to celebrate their achievements and return with a very special ceremony. We can look forward to a night which will live on in memories for years."

Enterprising and inspirational businesses and individuals have been celebrated by the Chamber and its annual Awards since 1986.

Winners have gone on to flourish, grow their businesses and get behind the Chamber of Commerce as Patrons, Premium members and sponsors on the night.

Tickets are on sale but for those who can't make the ceremony there will be full coverage on regional news platforms provided by Jan Roberts of Pure PR.

The social media hashtag is #SCCBA21

For tickets go here.