FINALISTS for this year's Somerset Business Awards have been announced.

Judges whittled down the 'record-breaking' number of entries to just two or three businesses per award category.

The 2022 awards ceremony will be taking place at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, in Weston-super-Mare, on March 11, and will be hosted by BBC presenter and journalist, Claire Carter.

Somerset Chamber executive director, Emma Rawlings, thanked everyone who had entered the awards.

She said the most entered categories had included Medium Business of the Year, Service Excellence and Environmental Achievement.

She said: “It was great to see so many entries from both chamber members and non-members from all corners of the county and representing a wide range of sectors and industries.

“These awards are the largest in Somerset and are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all that is great about our diverse business community and I’m looking forward to the grand final next month.”

The 2022 finalists are:

Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year (sponsored by Albert Goodman):

  • J&K Aquatics, Bridgwater
  • Musgrove Willows, Westonzoyland
  • Protek Products, Shepton Mallet

Small Business of the Year (sponsored by TDA):

  • AIP Welding Supplies Ltd, Bridgwater
  • Introtweet Ltd, Taunton
  • Reflex Medical Limited, Shepton Mallet

Medium Business of the Year (sponsored by Brook Financial Management):

  • Hippychick Ltd, Bridgwater
  • Lendology CIC, Bradford-on-Tone
  • Haven Timber Holdings Ltd, Norton St Philip

Large Business of the Year (sponsored by PKF Francis Clark):

  • Bradfords Building Supplies, Yeovil
  • Regency Purchasing Group, Weston-super-Mare
  • Ten Three Cleaning Ltd, Yeovil

Charity of the Year (sponsored by Clarke Willmott):

  • bibic, Langport
  • Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Wellington
  • St Margaret’s Hospice Care, Taunton

Best Use of Technology (sponsored by Porter Dodson):

  • Berry & Escott, Bridgwater
  • Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Taunton
  • Talick Group, Glastonbury

Employer of the Year (sponsored by Elite Staffing Solutions):

  • Alpha Housing Services Ltd, Taunton
  • Singer Instruments, Roadwater
  • WPA, Taunton

Investing in Somerset (sponsored by Hinkley Point C):

  • Bridges Electrical Engineers Ltd, Midsomer Norton
  • Cake Box Bakery, Yeovil
  • MMES 2012 Ltd, Bridgwater

Start-up of the Year (sponsored by Teapot Creative):

  • Emily Thompson Social Media Coach, Ilminster
  • Otterhead House, Taunton
  • The Birch Dementia Centre Ltd, Weston-super-Mare

Employee of the Year (sponsored by Weston College):

  • Ryan Werner, of AIP Welding Supplies Ltd, Bridgwater
  • Rebekah Blake, of The Willow Set Pre-School, Taunton

Environmental Achievement (sponsored by Gravity)

  • New Leaf Life Design, Bridgwater
  • Somerlap Forest Products Ltd, Mark
  • Talick Group Ltd, Glastonbury

Service Excellence (sponsored by CETSAT):

  • Alpha Housing Services Limited, Taunton
  • Container Team Ltd, Weston-super-Mare
  • House Fox Estate Agents, Weston-super-Mare

Somerset Manufacturer and Producer (sponsored by Garador):

  • E-FS Ltd, Highbridge
  • EPS Services & Tooling Ltd, Wiveliscombe
  • Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Taunton

Rebuild and Thrive (sponsored by Barclays):

  • Introtweet Ltd, Taunton
  • Regency Purchasing Group, Weston-super-Mare
  • Sansum Solutions Group Limited, Cheddar