MORE Somerset business than ever before enter this year’s Somerset Business Awards.

The 2015 Somerset Business Awards are now closed and the organisers are delighted to record the most entries in its 11 year history.

More than 160 entries were received from over 100 successful businesses in Somerset. Judges faced their biggest task ever of going through the applications and long-listing the entries. They now they look forward to visiting the successful business, before selecting their finalists for each of the 14 categories.

Commenting on the record-breaking year, Jenn Chidley-Sanders of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce – organisers of the Somerset Business Awards – says, “We are absolutely delighted with the number of entries. Somerset companies never fail to amaze us with the level of passion they portray in their entries, and we look forward to reading all the entries in detail. We wish them the best of luck.”

Shortlisted businesses are currently being visited by the judges and the finalists will be announced at the end of September 2015. Finalists and winners will be celebrated on Friday 23 October at the glittering black tie occasion. The event, which is being held at Wellsprings Leisure Centre in Taunton, has become one of the most important and popular dates in the county’s business calendar.

The Awards are sponsored by a variety of Somerset businesses from the county’s vibrant business community, including main sponsor, Albert Goodman – returning for the fifth consecutive year.

David Griffin, Managing Partner of Albert Goodman, comments, “Every year we see businesses in Somerset continue to flourish and provide valuable growth within the local economy, and this is reflected in the number and quality of entries we have receive. As the main sponsor, Albert Goodman is proud to support the Awards and we wish all the entrants the best of luck with their applications.”

Please follow @SomBizAwards on Twitter for all the latest news and updates with #SBA2015. For more information, please visit www.somersetbusinessawards.org.uk.

Full list of awards categories and sponsors:

Award                                                             Sponsor
Albert Goodman Family Business                   
of the Year Award                                           Albert Goodman LLP              
Business of the Year 1-10                               Yeovil College
Business of the Year 11-25                             A.C. Mole & Sons
Business of the Year 26-50                             EDF Energy
Business of the Year 51+                                Higos Insurance Services Ltd
Charity of the Year Award                               Clarke Willmott LLP
Environmental Award                                      Porter Dodson
International Trade Award                             Foot Anstey LLP
Marketing & Promotion Award                       ADPR Ltd
New Business of the Year Award                   Glyder Ltd
Somerset Manufacturer Award                       Monahans
Service Excellence Award                              Elite Staffing Solutions
Skills for Growth Award                                   Somerset College
Young Business Employee of the Year          
Award                                                             Jobseekers Recruitment Services Ltd

Media sponsors                                               Newsquest and Heart FM