THEY are the booming businesses battling it out to be the best in the borough.

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

The finalists will go head-to-head at the awards’ gala dinner and ceremony in September.

Notable finalists this year include the White Hart Pub and Hotel, Andover who will battle it out with La Di Da Interiors and Braishfield Pantry Community Shop and Cafe, for the Taylored IT sponsored Doing Business Locally Award.

Another pub in the running for an award is The Queen Charlotte Inn.

The London Road watering hole, run by Vicki Thorp, will compete with Minerva Health and Care Communications Ltd and Oaktree Business Management, for the Brenda Locke Award for Women in Business.

Test Valley Borough Council feature in the Apprentice Employer of the Year award, which is sponsored by Andover College.

The local authority will face stiff competition from UCPS Learning Ltd and Preformed Line Products (GB) for the honour.

UCPS, based in Andover, is by far the most nominated company in this year’s final list.

The company is a finalist in a further two categories, including the New Business Award and the Small Business Award.

Meanwhile, CoolLED Ltd, Circuitworx and 270 Vision Ltd will battle it out for the Innovation and Technology Award, sponsored by University of Southampton Science Park.

Commenting on the finalists, Lucy Dixon, of Wilkins Kennedy, said: “The standard of entries this year was very high and it has made the judging process and shortlisting even more interesting.

“It is great to see local businesses achievements celebrated – particularly in the face of economic and political uncertainty.”

Organisers of the awards, which are now in their 13th year, say that they received 170 entries this year, a record high since the awards began in 2004.

Alongside the prizegiving, the award ceremony this year will include a special guest speech from musician, journalist and now Church of England priest, Reverend Richard Coles.

He said: “I’m delighted to be speaking at the Test Valley Business Awards Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony this year, and am very much looking forward to meeting the winners and finalists selected for 2017.”

Tickets for this year’s ceremony, which will be held at the Museum of Army Flying on Thursday, September 14, are now available for £50.

For more information, visit www.tvbawards.org.uk