The finalists for the 2013-14 Scottish Borders Business Excellence Awards have been revealed today by the council and The Southern.
Finalists in the eight categories and the winners will be announced at an awards lunch on April 25.
A panel of judges made up of representatives from sponsors and public and private sector partners selected the shortlist and overall winners.
Councillor Stuart Bell, executive member for economic development, said: “We are delighted by the response this year across the eight categories.
“Given this busy time of year, we are grateful to all of the entrants for the time and effort that was put into their applications. The standard and quality of these has been excellent and the shortlisted businesses can rightly be proud of their achievements.”
Mr Bell added: “The Borders Business Excellence Awards provides a superb opportunity for these businesses to come together and celebrate their success in enhancing the profile of our region.”
The finalists in each category are:
1. Rural business of the year, sponsored by Forestry Commission: Real Wood Studios, Ancrum; Scottish Woodlands, Newtown St Boswells; Treeline Woodlands, West Linton.
2. Retail and town centre business of the year, sponsored by Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce: A Hume (Outfitters) Ltd, Kelso.; Murray Hogarth, Selkirk; Scotlight, Innerleithen.
3. Environmental business of the year, sponsored by Prostrakan: Bread Matters, Lamancha; Caledonian Log Homes, Hawick; Topling Ltd, Duns.
4. Innovation and technology business of the year, sponsored by Qube GB: Farne Salmon & Trout Ltd, Duns; Scotlight, Innerleithen; Topling Ltd, Duns.
5. Marketing business of the year, sponsored by GMP Printing: Scott & Charters, Hawick; SoConnect, Galashiels.
6. Employer of the year, sponsored by Skills Development Scotland: Borders Environmental Services, Jedburgh; Farne Salmon & Trout Ltd, Duns; Stark Main & Co. Ltd, Selkirk.
7. Start up/New business of the year, sponsored by Porter’s Porches and Conservatories: Breadshare, Lamancha; Noble Headwear, Hawick; Stems, Peebles.
8. Tourism business of the year, sponsored by Area Tourism Partnership: Bowhill House and Country Estate, Selkirk; MacDonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf and Spa, Cardrona; The Restaurant at Kailzie Gardens, Peebles.