BUSINESSES will have the chance to celebrate their success with the return of the Somerset Business Awards.

Entries for the 2021 awards, organised by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, will open on September 1.

The awards ceremony is usually held in the autumn, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s event will now take place on March 26, 2021 at the Winter Gardens Pavilion in Weston-super-Mare.

There are three new categories this year, including an Environmental Achievement Award, an Outstanding Business Response to Covid-19 Award and a Start-up of the Year Award.

Stephen Henagulph, chief executive of Somerset Chamber, said: “I am grateful for the sponsorship of Somerset’s leading businesses who are keen to celebrate everything that is great in the county, especially when so many have companies have faced difficult trading times.

“I would encourage all local businesses to enter the awards to share their own success stories.”

Somerset County Gazette:

This is the 16th year of the awards, which are the only county-wide business awards in Somerset.

The main sponsor this year is Albert Goodman. Other sponsors include TDA, Brook Financial, PKF Francis Clark, Somerset County Gazette Series, Porter Dodson, EDF, CETSAT, Garador, Heart, Clarke Willmott, Elite Staffing Solutions, Teapot Creative and Clarks International.

The awards categories are:

  • Small Business of the Year (1-5 employees)
  • Medium Business of the Year (6-25 employees)
  • Large Business of the Year (26+ employees)
  • Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year Award
  • Best Use of Technology Award
  • Charity of the Year Award, Employer of the Year
  • Investing in Somerset Award
  • Start-up of the Year Award
  • Outstanding Achievement Award
  • Environmental Achievement Award
  • Service Excellence Award
  • Somerset Manufacturer and Producer Award
  • Outstanding Business COVID-19 Response

For more information visit somersetbusinessawards.org.uk