EIGHT Worcestershire businesses have made the shortlist for the Worcester News Local Business Accelerators competition – the initiative that aims to give an invaluable boost to emerging companies.

A panel of expert judges whittled down the original 17 entries and the finalists’ business plans and ambitions will now be subject to close scrutiny before the top three are announced on Wednesday, January 11.

Those on the shortlist are: CM Engineering Consultants of Belle Vue Terrace Malvern; The Flying Sound Company of Lewis Close, Pershore; Choc n Hog Catering of Baldwin Road, Stourport on Severn; M3OH Services of The Deer Park, Eckington, near Pershore; Code 4 Roof and Timberframe of Thetford Avenue, Berkeley Heywood, Worcester; Holywell Water Company of Holywell Road, Malvern Wells; NinetyFive Creative of Foregate Street, Worcester and New Hope Worcester of Wells Road, Worcester.

Launched nationally on Wednesday, October 19 and run in conjunction with the Newspaper Society, the LBA has attracted some of Britain’s top business talent.

“The judging panel was extremely impressed with the overall standard of entries and to reduce them to a shortlist was a very hard task indeed,” said Worcester News editor Peter John.

“Difficult decisions had to be made and we wish all those who did not make the final cut all the best in the future. We are sure they will have the drive and talent to succeed in their chosen field.”

Through the LBA programme the Worcester News has teamed up with Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce to supply specialist mentors for the final three successful firms, providing free advice on how to grow their businesses and free membership of the chamber.

The top trio will now be selected for the award by the newspaper’s panel of business experts – chamber chief executive Mike Ashton; David Green, vice chancellor of the University of Worcester; Robert Capper, head of the commercial department of Worcester-based regional law firm Harrison Clark; and Worcester News editor Mr John.

The chosen businesses will receive a substantial allocation of free advertising space within the Worcester News pages. One lucky business chosen from hundreds of regional winners across the UK will also have individual mentoring sessions from Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden who will become the firm’s consultant and mentor for a year.

In addition, the three Worcester News winners will receive an initial free business health check from Harrison Clark.

Depending on the business development stage this review could include any of the services to be found on the firm’s website including company formation documents, supplier contracts, website terms and conditions and employee handbook review.

Thereafter, the prize winners will receive a further specialist review from one of the legal service areas for which they require assistance.