THE finalists have been announced in this year’s prestigious Somerset Business Awards, with companies, charities and individuals from across the county vying for the honours.
Judges faced a tough time whittling down a record-breaking number of entries in this year’s awards, which are run annually by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce.
The 2021 finalists come from all corners of the county, including Cheddar, Langport, Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, Taunton, North Petherton, Roadwater, Frome, Highbridge, Wellington, Somerton, Baltonsborough, Westonzoyland, Midsomer Norton, Axbridge, Bridgwater, Yeovil, Compton Martin, Clevedon, Weston-super-Mare and Chard.
This year is the 16th anniversary of the awards and for the first time the grand final will be broadcast online at 3pm on March 26, with host, BBC presenter and journalist, Claire Carter.
Somerset Chamber Chief Executive Stephen Henagulph thanked everyone who had entered the awards and said the most hotly contested categories had included Outstanding COVID-19 Response, Service Excellence and Investing in Somerset.
He said: “It was great to see so many entries from both Chamber members and non-members from all corners of the county and representing a wide range of sectors and industries.
“These awards are the largest in Somerset and are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all that is great about our diverse business community and I’m looking forward to the grand final next month.”
The 2021 finalists are:
Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year (sponsored by Albert Goodman)
Musgrove Willows, Westonzoyland
Bridges Electrical Engineers, Midsomer Norton
Clarity Cleans, Axbridge
Small Business of the Year (sponsored by TDA)
Petruth Paddocks, Cheddar
Harry’s Cider Company Ltd, Langport
Cognique, Shepton Mallet
Medium Business of the Year (sponsored by Brook Financial Management)
Filberts Fine Foods, Glastonbury
Impact Design and Marketing, Taunton
Race At Your Pace Ltd, Taunton
Large Business of the Year (sponsored by PKF Francis Clark)
Somerset Larder, North Petherton
Singer Instruments, Roadwater
Marston Foods, Frome
Charity of the Year (sponsored by Clarke Willmott)
ARC, Taunton
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Wellington,
PROMISEworks, Baltonsborough
Best Use of Technology (sponsored by Porter Dodson)
Cardstream, Taunton
Clerksroom, Taunton
WPA, Taunton
Employer of the Year (sponsored by Elite Staffing Solutions)
Singer Instruments, Roadwater
Poolbridge Accountancy Ltd, Highbridge
WPA, Taunton
Investing in Somerset (sponsored by Hinkley Point C)
Somerset Larder, North Petherton
HOST Somerset, Bridgwater
The Bridge (Langport), Langport
Start-up of the Year (sponsored by Teapot Creative)
Accar Food Commit, Wincanton
Kinetic Kitchen, Compton Martin
Plantside Café, Wellington
Outstanding Achievement (sponsored by Weston College)
David Hutchins Innovation Ltd, Somerton
OTHO, Weston-super-Mare
Aspen Waite, Bridgwater
Environmental Achievement (sponsored by Gravity)
C&D South West Ltd, Chard
Sopha, Highbridge
James Tobias Ltd, Bridgwater
Service Excellence (sponsored by CETSAT)
Benchmark Project Management, Clevedon
The Castle at Taunton, Taunton
Somerset Early Scans Ltd, Bridgwater
Somerset Manufacturer and Producer (sponsored by Garador)
Filberts Fine Foods, Glastonbury
Marston Foods, Frome
James Tobias Ltd, Bridgwater
Outstanding COVID-19 Response (sponsored by Clarks International)
Petruth Paddocks Ltd, Cheddar
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Wellington
Cake Box Bakery, Yeovil
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