THE FINALISTS for this year’s Somerset Business Awards have been revealed.

Entries were submitted by more than 100 companies and the judges have spent weeks visiting businesses of all sizes and sectors from around the county.

The finalists for each of the 14 categories have now been informed and invited to attend the black-tie celebratory dinner on October 20, where they will find out if they have won.

Loren Gray, organiser of the Somerset Business Awards, said: “We were so pleased to have received such great interest in the awards, especially the new categories, which have seen an extraordinary number of high quality applications.

“We are delighted to also see lots of entries from businesses who have never entered before. We wish all the finalists the best of luck, and we look forward to celebrating with them.”

Full list of award finalists (in alphabetical order):

The Albert Goodman Family Business Award, sponsored by Albert Goodman LLP

  • Bowen Opticians Ltd (Weston Super-Mare)
  • C & D South West Ltd (Chard)
  • Jobseekers Recruitment Services Ltd (Taunton)

Business of the Year 1-10, sponsored by TDA

  • Elite Staffing Solutions (South West) Ltd (Taunton)
  • Granny Gothards Limited (Stoke St Gregory)
  • Puddy Vehicle Solutions (PVS) Ltd (Highbridge)

Business of the Year 11-25, sponsored by A.C. Mole & Sons

  • Brook Financial Management Limited (Ilminster)
  • Kiddimoto Ltd (Cheddar)
  • Orme Architecture (Glastonbury)

Business of the Year 26-50, sponsored by PKF Francis Clark

  • Berry & Escott Ltd (Bridgwater)
  • Busy Bees Cleaning and Maintenance 2000 Ltd (Frome)
  • Melhuish and Saunders Ltd (Glastonbury)

Business of the Year 51+, sponsored by Higos Insurance Services Ltd

  • Norseland Ltd (Ilchester)
  • VADO (Cheddar)
  • Yeovil College (Yeovil)

Charity of the Year Award, sponsored by Clarke Willmott LLP

  • Art Care Education (Somerton)
  • The Willow Set (North Curry)
  • We Hear You (Frome)

Investing in Somerset Award, sponsored by EDF Energy

Marketing and Promotions Award, sponsored by ADPR Ltd

  • Norseland Ltd (Ilchester)
  • Red Berry Recruitment Ltd (Shepton Mallet)

New Business Award, sponsored by Teapot Creative

  • Art Care Education (Somerton)
  • Elite Staffing Solutions (South West) Ltd (Taunton)
  • The Sangha House (Taunton)

Service Excellence Award, sponsored by Claims Consortium Group

  • Dimpsey Glamping (Chard)
  • ITEC Connect Ltd (Bridgwater)
  • Key Solutions Mortgages Limited (Weston Super-Mare)

Skills for Growth Award, sponsored by Wessex Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Association

  • Avery Carpentry Contractors Limited (Taunton)
  • Bridges Electrical Engineers Ltd (Midsomer Norton)
  • MMES 2012 Ltd (Bridgwater)

Somerset Manufacturer & Producer Award, sponsored by Ashfords LLP

  • Berry & Escott Ltd (Bridgwater)
  • Blackdown Shepherd Huts Ltd (Ilminster)
  • TMB Patterns Limited (Bridgwater)

Technology & Innovation Award, sponsored by Porter Dodson Solicitors & Advisors

  • Bridges Electrical Engineers Ltd (Midsomer Norton)
  • DNA Worldwide Ltd (Frome)
  • SCM Handling Ltd (Bishops Lydeard)

Young Business Employee of the Year Award, sponsored by Clarks

  • Friends for Pets Ltd – Amy Wall (Winscombe)
  • Key Solutions Mortgages Limited – Edward Jackson (Weston Super-Mare)
  • Wyke Farms – Lucy Francis (Bruton)