THE thriving businesses battling out to be the best of the best in borough have been announced.

Eighteen companies will contest for the top honours across six categories in this year’s Test Valley Business Awards.

The winners will be announced at the gala awards’ dinner and ceremony on September 13.

More than 220 entries were received, from businesses large and small, a record-breaking number for this year’s judges to look over.

The judges, who represent the awards gold sponsors, have scrutinised the entries, spoken to and visited some of the most enterprising and inspiring businesses within Test Valley.

Finalists this year for the Businesswoman of the Year Award are Stephanie Barnett of Pure Human Resources, Lisa Armstrong from Active Staff Ltd and Alana Penkethman of Parker Bullen LLP.

UCPS Learning Ltd will battle it out against MOR Solutions Ltd and VuePoint Solutions Ltd to be in with a chance to win the Employer of the Year Award, sponsored by Simplyhealth.

Meanwhile, VuePoint Solutions is also shortlisted in the Innovation and Technology Award, alongside VivaMOS Ltd and Inflowmatix Ltd. The category is sponsored by The University of Southampton Science Park.

The Stockbridge pub The Greyhound on the Test will compete against CoCo’s Canine Creche and The Sheep Shed Gallery for the Taylored IT Doing Business Locally Award.

CoCo’s Canine Creche, based in Weyhill, is also up for the New Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Test Valley Borough Council, alongside Vista Glaze Ltd and VivaMOS Ltd.

And in the Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Wilkins Kennedy, Martial Art World LLP, Pure Human Resources and Wathen Marine Catering Equipment Services Ltd will battle it out.

Commenting on the finalists, Hendry Taylor, of Taylored IT, said: “With so many entries of such high quality, judging has been a - very welcome! - challenge this year, actually it has been very hard to select the finalists. Congratulations to all the finalists. To have come this far is a wonderful achievement.”

Tickets for this year’s ceremony, which will be held at the Museum of Army Flying on Thursday, September 13, are now available for £55.

For more information, go to tvbawards.org.uk.