JUDGES and sponsors are preparing for a late flurry of entries with two weeks left to enter the Somerset Business Awards 2023.

There are 14 categories covering businesses, organisations and charities of all sizes and from all sectors. The deadline for applications is Friday, November 25.

The awards, in their 18th year, are organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce and recognise and celebrate the best of the county's businesses and organisations.

Entrants do not need to be a chamber member to participate and it's free to enter.

The judges will draw up their shortlists by mid-December, with the finalists announced in February.

Local BBC journalist and broadcaster Claire Carter will host the awards’ grand final at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, Weston-super-Mare, on March 24, 2023.

New for this year is the Apprentice of the Year Award, while there are new criteria for each of the Small, Medium and Large Business of the Year Award categories.

Emma Rawlings, chief executive of Somerset Chamber, is encouraging businesses to give the awards a go, saying: “There is something for everyone in the Somerset Business Awards but time really is running out

“There are just two weeks left for businesses, charities and organisations to submit their applications.

"It’s a great opportunity to celebrate everything that is great about your team, especially when trading conditions are so challenging.”

Michael Cahill, a partner at main sponsor Albert Goodman, said: “The Somerset Business Awards are a brilliant opportunity to showcase everything that is fantastic about your business.

“Over our many years as main sponsor, we’ve seen some excellent business enter the awards and then go on to even greater things. Entering the awards is a great chance to boost your profile, boost staff morale and ultimately boost your business.”

Award categories are:

Small Business of the Year (turnover up to £0.5million), sponsor Enterprise South West;

Medium Business of the Year (turnover up to £6million), sponsor Higos Insurance Services;

Large Business of the Year (turnover over £6million), sponsor Brook Financial;

Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year;

Best Use of Technology, sponsor Porter Dodson;

Charity of the Year, sponsor Clarke Willmott;

Employer of the Year, sponsor Elite Staffing Solutions;

Investing in Somerset, sponsor Hinkley Point C;

Start-up of the Year, sponsor Teapot Creative;

Apprentice of the Year, sponsor Weston College;

Environmental Achievement, sponsor Gravity;

Service Excellence, sponsor Stephens Scown;

Somerset Manufacturer and Producer, sponsor SRD Technology UK

Rebuild and Thrive Award, sponsor Barclays UK.