THE finalists have been announced for this year's prestigious Somerset Business Awards 2024, after judges spent hours visiting the shortlisted entries and whittling them down to a final few.

The awards are run annually by Somerset Chamber of Commerce and the 2024 finalists come from all corners of the county, including Bridgwater, Merriott, Weston-super-Mare, Taunton, West Pennard, Frome, Glastonbury, Langport, Midsomer Norton, Highbridge, Yeovil, Roadwater, Burrowbridge, Wellington, Minehead, Curry Rivel and Stoke St Michael.

This year is the 19th anniversary of the awards, which are again supported by main sponsor Albert Goodman. The grand final will be hosted by Global broadcast journalist Cormac MacMahon at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, in Weston-super-Mare, on March 22, 2024.

Tickets for the final will go on general sale on Friday February 26, for more details see the awards' website at www.somersetbusinessawards.org.uk.

Somerset Chamber Chief Executive, Emma Rawlings, thanked everyone who had entered the awards and said the most hotly contested categories had included Service Excellence, Small Business of the Year and Employer of the Year.

She said: "Despite some really challenging trading conditions, it's been incredibly encouraging to see so many fantastic applications from business and charities from across the county – they are doing some great work and we are honoured to be able to highlight that through these awards.

"The finalists have come from across the county, representing a wide range of sectors and industries and we are looking forward to celebrating their achievements at the final on March 22."

Michael Cahill, a Partner at Albert Goodman, added: "This is our fourteenth year as main sponsor and we have seen some excellent businesses enter the awards and then go on to even greater things.

"The awards are a fantastic celebration of the very best of Somerset business, and entering is a great chance to boost your profile, boost staff morale and ultimately boost your business."

The 2024 finalists are:

Small Business of the Year (turnover up to £0.5 million) sponsored by Gather Technology Ltd

ARK at Egwood CIC, Merriott

Little Kickers (North and Mid Somerset), Weston-super-Mare

Talking Stick Digital, Bridgwater

Medium Business of the Year (turnover up to £6 million) sponsored by Higos Insurance Services

Family Adventures Group, Bridgwater

Filbert's Fine Foods Ltd, West Pennard

Netitude Ltd, Frome

Large Business of the Year (turnover over £6 million) sponsored by Stephens Scown

Bridgwater & Taunton College, Bridgwater

Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Taunton

Synertec, Wellington

Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year Award

Container Team Ltd, Weston-super-Mare

Mark One Consultants, Yeovil

Summerfield Developments, Taunton

Best Use of Digital Technology Award sponsored by Teapot Creative

Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury

Mark One Consultants, Yeovil

Somerset County Cricket Club, Taunton

Charity of the Year Award sponsored by Clarke Willmott

bibic, Langport

It's in the Bag Cancer Support, North Somerset

SWALLOW Charity, Midsomer Norton

Employer of the Year sponsored by Blossom HR

Netitude Ltd, Frome

Poolbridge Accountancy Limited, Highbridge

Singer Instruments, Roadwater

Investing in Somerset Award sponsored by Hinkley Point C

Battens Solicitors, Yeovil

Bridgwater & Taunton College, Bridgwater

The Ascot Group, Weston-super-Mare

Start-up of the Year Award sponsored by Westcotts

Milton and Chambers, Wellington

Our Precious Earth, Minehead

Wessex Pop-Up Coldrooms Ltd, Curry Rivel

Apprentice of the Year Award sponsored by Weston College

Poolbridge Accountancy Limited – Chloe Smith, Highbridge

SBA CIC – Natasha Margetts, Langport

Turnbull Infrastructure and Utilities – Ryan Jones, Bridgwater

Environmental and Sustainability Award sponsored by Gravity

Cookswood Development – Lomax Design and Build, Stoke St Michael

Lendology CIC, Taunton

Zebra EM, Taunton

Service Excellence Award sponsored by Porter Dodson

Family Adventures Group, Bridgwater

Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Taunton

West Country Drainage Services Ltd, Burrowbridge

Manufacturing and Engineering Award sponsored by Leonardo UK

Electrified Automation, Bridgwater

Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Taunton

Teklagraf Ltd, Weston-super-Mare

Business Resilience and Growth Award sponsored by Barclays UK

ARK at Egwood CIC, Merriott

Family Adventures Group, Bridgwater

Purplex Marketing, Weston-super-Mare