REPRESENTATIVES from around 60 companies attended the Launch of the 2019 Taunton Deane Business Awards at Retro, in East Street, last Thursday (December 6).

Alongside information on the process of the awards, critical dates and sponsorship announcements, the awards organisers, White Knight Marketing, announced a new category, Taunton Deane Business of the Year.

It gives companies that believe they hold the winning edge a chance to prove they can demonstrate they have entrepreneurial flair, strong leadership, and what it takes to be leaders in their chosen industry or sector.

Event organiser Pam Knight said: "This is an exciting category for businesses in this area and because we anticipate it being so popular we have opened up the criteria for entry for this award only.

"To date we accepted two applications from each business allowing them to enter two different awards, but with this one, and this one alone, we will be allowing businesses to send in a third application to be considered for the Taunton Deane Business of the Year.

"We have been incredibly lucky in securing sponsorship for all ten awards in record time this year and our major event sponsors, PFK Francis Clark and Taunton Deane Borough Council, have once again put their hands in their pockets to support Taunton Deane businesses.

"Even now there is a palpable buzz around the event that exceeds previous years and we have a month before entries are open."

Applications can be sent in from January 18 when the forms will be made live on tdba.co.uk Award categories are already on the site.