Last week, judges were given the unenviable task of whittling down the dozens of entries, but after a morning of deliberations the panel submitted its recommendations for this year’s nominees.

Best Not-For-Profit Organisation Award

  • Home Start Clackmannanshire
  • Sauchie Active 8
  • Sauchie Community Group
  • Tullibody Healthy Living

Excellence in Customer Service Award

  • Hillview Funeral Services
  • IKL Care (A Partnership)
  • Inglewood House and Spa
  • SV24-7 Vending

Apprenticeship Award – sponsored by Clackmannanshire Business

  • Callum Bonner – Clackmannanshire Council
  • Lee Buchan – Diageo Abercrombie

Most Promising New Business Award – sponsored by Business Gateway

  • Siabann & Bearr Man
  • The Airborne Lens Company

Food, Drink and Hospitality Award

  • Dollar’s Deli
  • Inglewood House and Spa
  • The Bridge Sauchie
  • The Ladybird Tea Room

Retail Business of the Year Award

  • Dollar’s Deli
  • Greens of Tillicoultry
  • Party People Event Hire
  • Rhona McCallum Ltd

Most Impressive Employee of the Year – sponsored by Ministry of Defence

  • Catherine Davidson – CALM Training
  • Francesca Hollinshead – Gean House
  • Michelle Teed – Higglety Pigglety
  • Sarah McGeough – Diageo ISC Engineering

The Outstanding Performance Business Award – sponsored by Ceteris

  • Emblation Limited
  • Inglewood House and Spa
  • InnPac Limited
  • SV24-7 Vending

The winners will be announced at awards ceremony on Thursday, August 31 at Alloa Town Hall, hosted by BBC Radio Scotland’s Bryan Burnett – presenter of the drivetime music show Get It On.

The awards are supported by Ceteris, Business Gateway, Clackmannanshire Business, Ministry of Defence and Diageo, and will reward local businesses and employees who are making an impressive contribution to Clackmannanshire economy and further afield.

Alison Davidson, Manager of the Business Gateway service in Clackmannanshire, said: “The Clacks 2017 Business Awards continue to underline the high quality and fantastic work being carried out by businesses across the region. Business Gateway is delighted to be involved in the programme and our congratulations go to all the finalists.”

Margaret Mary Rafferty, managing director at Ceteris, added: “‘Ceteris is delighted to be sponsoring the ‘Most Outstanding Business’ category at the Clackmannanshire Business Awards this year.

“Last year we were delighted when our own Gean House won the Excellence in Customer Service Award as it’s something that we at Ceteris take great pride in delivering.

“The award ceremony seems to be going from strength to strength and I’m sure there will be fierce competition for this award this year.”

To book a seat at this year’s the awards gala, visit www.clacksbusinessawards.co.uk