More than 25 finalists have been named for the Shepton Innovator Business Awards with two weeks to go before winners are announced at live-streamed ceremony.

The Shepton Innovate Business Awards were announced in the wake of the news that Mendip District Council would no longer be running their business awards this year.

Members of the public and business owners were able to nominate their favourite local businesses from Shepton Mallet and nearby parishes.

At the time of closing, some 94 nominations had been made across the eight categories of award.

The nominations paid tribute to businesses old and new, celebrating the rich diversity of activities based in and around the town: from drinks producers to bicycle repair shops, hairdressers to yoga teachers.

Reflecting the circumstances in which they emerged, the awards emphasised the efforts made by business-owners to innovate during lockdown.

Many local businesses managed to adapt overnight to continue serving their local community, including by setting up online shopping portals, offering home deliveries or finding ways of giving back to key-workers.

However, the awards also recognise the benefit these businesses make to their local community more generally.

Some nominations described childhood memories of visiting businesses which still stand today, or how certain business-owners go over-and-above to make their customers smile.

The judging panel has voted and selected three finalists in each of the categories with the exception of the Innovator of the Year category, which is judged by a panel of town councillors.

The finalists in each category are as follows:

New Business

• The Good Life Projects
• The Somerset Bicycle Workshop
• Bumblez

Hospitality

• Peppers
• The George Inn
• The Cheeky Bean
• The Cross at Croscombe

Food and Drink Producers

• Denelas
• Westcombe Dairy
• Nestcake Caravan

Retail

• The Fairy Godmother Shop
• Right Price DIY
• My Coffee Stop

Manufacture and Small Production

• Mendip Shopfitters
• SRM Carver and Son

Wellbeing and Leisure

• Energise Yoga
• The Barber Shop
• The Movement Gym

Arts, Culture and Heritage

• The Mid-Somerset Agricultural Society
• The Art Bank
• Theatre Uncut

Innovator of the Year

• The Somerset Bicycle Workshop
• The George Inn
• My Coffee Stop
• The Fairy Godmother
• Right Price DIY
• Wise Bartender

The judges will now refine their choices and select a single winner in each category. The winners will be revealed during a live-streamed award ceremony on September 2 at 7pm, and details will be made available on the town council website at https://sheptonmallet-tc.gov.uk/siba/.

Any questions or for further information, contact [email protected].