THE presentation ceremony for this year’s Somerset Business Awards take place this evening.

A record number of businesses entered this year’s awards, with the number of companies entering up by 50% on last year for the second year in a row.

A variety of influential business people from across Somerset were chosen as judges by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce and had the hard task of whittling down the number of impressive companies that entered to the three finalists in each category.

All the shortlisted companies have been invited to the glittering black tie gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Somerset County Cricket Club in Taunton.

The annual Somerset Business Awards recognise business success, adding credibility and achieving publicity for the winners.

The main event sponsor is Albert Goodman, which has offices throughout Somerset.

The annual Somerset Business Awards are organised by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce with Newsquest Somerset, publisher of this website, as media partner and in conjunction with a wide range of individual award sponsors from the private sector.

THE FINALISTS are listed below in alphabetical order:

  • Business of the Year Award 0 – 1 employee: AB Heritage, Razzle Dazzle Ices, SOH Vanilla Ltd; Business of the Year Award two – five employees; O2i Design Ltd, Pure Beauty, Rubix Solutions UK Ltd;
  • Business of the Year Award five – 50 employees; Cooper Associates Ltd; Hippychick, Myakka Ltd;
  • Business of the Year Award 50 + employees: Jon Thorner's Ltd, Milsted Langdon LLP, Somerset County Cricket Club;
  • Environmental Award: Cannington Enterprises Ltd, Mill on the Brue, PBT International Ltd;
  • Family Business of the Year Award: Framptons Limited, Phil Bowditch Finest Fresh Fish, Westermill Farm;
  • Collaborative Innovation Award, Futures for Somerset, Kontrolit;
  • Service Excellence Award: Jungle Property, Phil Bowditch Finest Fresh Fish, Property Consortium Group;
  • Charity of the Year Award: bibic, Brainwave, Taunton Association for the Homeless;
  • Marketing & Promotion Award: Myakka Ltd, Styles Farmhouse Ice Cream Ltd, The Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre; New Business of the Year Award: Green Frog Designs Ltd, Saltbox Training & Events Ltd, Special Horses For Special Children;
  • New to Somerset Award: AB Heritage, Langford Fivehead, Qballyhoo;
  • Best Export Award, Chinese Language Publishing Ltd, Hilton Herbs, Somerdale International.