SOUTH West businesses have until Sunday, January 16 to enter the Celebrating Small Business Awards.

The awards are organised by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Britain's biggest business representation group. 

The FSB launched the 2022 Celebrating Small Business Awards in August, and the group will host regional and national finals this year. 

The awards are the largest event of their kind in the small business calendar. 

Regional winners for the south west will be announced at an awards ceremony in March 2022 at The Winter Gardens in Weston-super-Mare.

They will then progress to the national FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards final, where the overall winner will be announced in May.

There are 12 categories small businesses can enter: International, environmental, micro-business, start-up business, high-growth business, family, young entrepreneur (aged 30 and under), wellbeing, community, business product and innovation, self-employed/sole trader, and digital/e-commerce. 

The FSB is supported by national sponsors and local businesses, including Renishaw, Plymouth City Bus, Gravity and Weston College. 

Each sponsor has adopted a particular category to support, which represents a theme they are passionate about.

Dave Crew, head of business growth and employer partnership at Weston College, said: "We’re delighted to be sponsoring the young entrepreneur of the year category at this year’s FSB Awards and celebrating success from the last year.

"The FSB is a long-standing partner of Weston College.

"We’re passionate about not just supporting businesses, but also supporting young people to unlock the skills and potential they have to become tomorrow’s business leaders."

The winner of the young entrepreneur award will receive a trophy and a programme of one-to-one mentoring with Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Weston College's principal and chief executive. 

This will help them shape their plans to achieve further business success in 2022. 

For more information and to enter the awards before they close on January 16,  visit www.fsbawards.co.uk.