THE Salter’s Den competition is returning this year and is now open for applications.

Northwich’s version of the BBC show Dragon’s Den launched in 2015 and has become a popular annual competition for entrepreneurs in the region.

Salter's Den sees Northwich-based businesses Howard Worth Chartered Accountants and Moss Haselhurst Solicitors, join forces with NatWest and Cheshire West and Chester Council to form the judging panel in the den.

The prize for the winner is £2,500 cash as well as one year’s free accountancy support and business advice from Howard Worth and legal mentoring from Moss Haselhurst.

There are also rewards for second and third place with six months and three months support and mentoring respectively.

Since the competition launched in 2015 the judges have been overwhelmed by the quality of new businesses in the local area and the innovation they have shown. The three previous winners all excelled in the den and their prizes have led to the further progression for their businesses.

Last year’s winner, Amanda Lund from Tots Tower, said: “We have recently passed our first-year anniversary and have been able to achieve this through the amount of support we have received from members of the public, the prize money and help we have been given as a result of winning this competition.

“Winning Salter's Den has been such an amazing boost for us and has allowed us to enhance the play centre in ways we didn’t think possible. Our advice to any new business owner is to go ahead and apply for the competition, we did and we haven’t looked back since.”

Entrepreneur or business start-ups located in Winsford or Northwich and started trading on or after January 1, 2017, are eligible to enter.

The competition opened for entries on July 1 and will remain open until October 26.

Visit saltersdencompetition.co.uk for the full competition rules and to submit your application.