Local BBC journalist and broadcaster Claire Carter will host the gala black-tie awards ceremony for the Somerset Business Awards 2021, while entrants can get some top tips on how to submit the best possible entry at a special online workshop next month.
Businesses have until November 27 to submit their entries via the Somerset Business Awards website www.somersetbusinessawards.org.uk and can find out how to improve their chances of winning by listening to some top hints and tips from judges and previous winners in a webinar on October 14.
The awards are the county’s biggest and most prestigious annual business awards which are organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the very best of the county’s businesses. 
This year’s awards are later than usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Claire, who has presented BBC Somerset’s Breakfast Show for the last three years, will host the finals night at Weston-super-Mare’s Winter Pavilion on March 26 next year.
Now in their 16th year, the awards recognise and celebrate the very best of Somerset’s wide range of businesses across all sectors and are the only county-wide business awards in Somerset. They are free to enter and businesses do not need to be a member of the Chamber to take part.
Awards this year are:
Stephen Henagulph, Chief Executive of Somerset Chamber, said businesses had faced a particularly challenging year and he hoped firms would be able to celebrate their achievements despite the difficulties.
He said: “I am grateful for the sponsorship of so many of Somerset’s leading businesses who, like me, are keen to celebrate everything that is great in the county, especially when so many have companies have faced extremely difficult trading times.
“The Somerset Business Awards covers all business sectors across a wide range of categories and I would encourage all local businesses to enter the awards to share their own success stories and celebrate their achievements.”
Sponsors confirmed for the 2021 awards include main sponsor Albert Goodman and sponsors TDA, Brook Financial, PKF Francis Clark, Porter Dodson, Hinkley Point C, Weston College, CETSAT, Garador, Gravity, Heart, Newsquest, Clarke Willmott, Elite Staffing Solutions, BT, Teapot Creative and Clarks.
More information about the awards and how to book a place on the top hints and tips webinar is available on the website www.somersetbusinessawards.org.uk, while updates will also be posted on the official business awards social media accounts.
Join Somerset Chamber of Commerce to give your business a stronger voice both locally, regionally and nationally. Combined with local town chambers, we represent over 2,000 businesses across Somerset with a direct line to policy-makers at all levels.
