ENTRIES open on Monday, September 12, for the prestigious Somerset Business Awards 2023 organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce.

Now in their 18th year, they recognise and celebrate the best of the county’s businesses across all sectors and are the only countywide business awards.

They will be launched at Hurds Hill, near Langport, on Thursday, September 14, where would-be entrants can meet sponsors and judges and find out more about the accolades. There will be an online ‘how to enter’ workshop on Wednesday, October 19.

There are new sponsors and a new category, Apprentice of the Year to honour an individual who has made a positive impact in a business during the last 24 months, while training through an apprenticeship programme.

The Business of the Year Awards also have new criteria and this year the small, medium and large categories will be dependent on the turnover of the business.

The awards are free to enter and businesses do not need to be a chamber member to take part.

Accountancy firm Albert Goodman is again the main sponsor, with the awards culminating in a gala final at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, Weston-super-Mare, on March 24.

Sponsors confirmed for the 2023 awards include Albert Goodman, Barclays UK, Brook Financial, Clarke Willmott, Elite Staffing Solutions, Enterprise South West, Global, Gravity, Higos Insurance Ltd, Hinkley Point C, Porter Dodson, Somerset County Gazette Series, SRD Technology UK, Stephens Scown, Teapot Creative and Weston College.

Chamber chief executive Emma Rawlings said: “I am grateful for the continued support of so many of Somerset’s leading businesses who, like me, are keen to celebrate our many superb businesses, charities and individuals.

“We know businesses and organisations are facing some of the most challenging trading conditions in decades as inflation, energy costs and a tight job market all pose problems, but we also know many businesses are rising to those challenges and we want to recognise and celebrate that.

“The Somerset Business Awards 2023 cover all business sectors across a wide range of categories and I would encourage all local businesses and charities to enter the awards to share their own success stories and celebrate their achievements.”

For more information about the awards click HERE while details of the launch event and how to enter workshop can be found HERE