ENTRIES for the Somerset Business Awards will open on September 1 – later than usual because of the Covid-19 pandemic – with new categories and a gala black-tie ceremony scheduled for March.

Organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce, the awards give businesses the chance to celebrate their achievements in what has been a particularly challenging year.

The awards are free to enter and businesses do not need to be a member of the Chamber to take part. Once again, leading accountancy firm Albert Goodman will be the main sponsor.

The awards, now in their 16th year, recognise and celebrate the very best of Somerset’s wide range of businesses across all sectors and are the only county-wide business awards in Somerset.

New awards this year include an environmental award to recognise an individual or organisation’s positive environmental impact and a, hopefully, one-off award for an ’outstanding business response to COVID-19’, from supporting key workers to diversification to protect the business and jobs.

Stephen Henagulph, chief executive of Somerset Chamber, thanked awards sponsors for their support: “I am grateful for the sponsorship of so many of Somerset’s leading businesses who, like me, are keen to celebrate everything that is great in the county, especially when so many have companies have faced extremely difficult trading times.

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