Shepton Mallet businesses, charities and organisations are being encouraged to throw their hats into the ring for the Somerset Business Awards 2027, with entries opening next week.

The annual awards, organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce, officially launch on Wednesday, 9 September, with 14 categories covering everything from small and family businesses to apprentices, charities, manufacturing and innovation.

For Shepton Mallet's mix of independent businesses, manufacturers, service companies and voluntary organisations, there is a fairly broad spread of opportunities to get involved.

The awards are open to organisations across Somerset and are designed to recognise businesses of different sizes as well as individual leaders and apprentices. Leading accountancy firm Albert Goodman returns as headline sponsor for the 17th consecutive year.

Three new categories have been introduced for 2027: Scale Up of the Year, for businesses achieving significant growth; Business Leader of the Year, recognising individual leadership; and the Innovation with Impact Award, aimed at organisations using innovation to make a meaningful difference.

They join established awards covering family businesses, employers, charities, service excellence, sustainability and manufacturing.

The full 2027 categories are:

• Small Business of the Year
• Medium Business of the Year
• Large Business of the Year
• Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year
• Innovation with Impact Award
• Charity of the Year
• Employer of the Year
• Investing in Somerset Award
• Business Leader of the Year
• Apprentice of the Year
• Sustainable Business of the Year
• Service Excellence Award
• Manufacturing and Engineering Excellence Award
• Scale Up of the Year

Businesses thinking about entering can also attend the official launch at Henlade House, near Taunton, on Wednesday, 9 September.

The event will give prospective entrants the chance to meet sponsors and judges and find out what they will be looking for when applications arrive. Attendance is free, although places need to be booked in advance through the Somerset Chamber of Commerce website.

David Crew, managing director of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, said the awards were an opportunity for organisations of all sizes to celebrate what they had achieved and raise their profile.

He said: "Whether you are a start-up, a growing business, an established organisation, a charity or a business leader making a real difference, the awards provide a fantastic opportunity to celebrate success, recognise achievements and raise your profile.

"We are particularly excited to introduce new categories that reflect the ambition, leadership and innovation helping to drive Somerset forward. I would encourage organisations of all sizes to take a closer look at the categories and consider entering."

He added: "These awards are about recognising and celebrating the people and organisations that make Somerset such a great place to do business, work and invest."

Entries will remain open until Friday, 20 November, giving Shepton Mallet organisations a little over two months to decide which category suits them and make their case.

Applications can be submitted through the Somerset Business Awards website.

So, if your Shepton business has quietly had a cracking year, now might be the time to stop being quite so quiet about it.

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