The Salters Den competition looks to find the most exciting new business or business idea in the Northwich and Winsford area and to reward the winner with a first prize worth £5,000.
The competition is run in partnership with Howard Worth Chartered Accountants and business advisors, Mosshaselhurst Solicitors, NatWest, and Eric Johnson of Northwich Ltd.
The addition of Winsford based businesses to the competition for 2016 led to the quantity and quality of entries being impressively high meaning a challenging shortlisting process. The successful applicants were invited to pitch their business plans and ideas in the den earlier this month.
After listening to a full day of varied presentations and demonstrations, the judge’s final decision was reached. The winner of the £2,500 cash first prize and 12 months financial and legal mentoring is Nearcut.
Nearcut is an online booking system for Barbers shops. The software helps to increase the efficiency of appointment making and enables them to grow their own individual businesses.
Will Bell, the founder of Nearcut said – "Winning the competition is amazing, I can’t actually believe it. My interest in computer software led me to create Nearcut. With the financial reward and the expert business mentoring I hope I am now able to make something I am passionate about into a long term career”.
Chris Smith, partner at Howard Worth commented, "Will’s presentation in the den was excellent. His business idea has been generated through his own interest, determination and skill. He saw a problem and created a solution for this driven by his desire to help a local business. Even in its infancy the business has already shown results and for a very new start-up, at this stage, it is very impressive indeed. He is a deserving winner of this year’s Salters Den competition”
There were also prizes for second and third place. Second place (6 months legal and accountancy mentoring) was awarded to Cube Lighting and Design Ltd. The business offers LED lighting schemes that can save money and reduce user’s carbon footprints.
Big Teds Workshop was awarded third place with a prize of 3 months legal and accountancy mentoring. The business designs and creates handcrafted furniture from reclaimed products.
This year saw the first time that the top 5 placed businesses were awarded with Birdie Photobooth scooping 4th place and PH Diving and Servicing placed 5th.
Salters Den will launch the 2017 competition in June 2017.