INITIAL shortlists for the 2026 Somerset Business Awards have been revealed.

Judges are set to visit companies who made the shortlist, before the finalists are unveiled ahead of a glittering awards evening on March 26, when the winners will be revealed.

A spokesperson for the awards, organised by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, said it was “another record year for entries”.

“This year is the 21st year of the county-wide business awards which are supported once again by headline sponsor Albert Goodman, plus a host of leading Somerset companies,” they said.

Shortlisted nominees for 2026 hail from all corners of the county, including Yeovil, Weston-super-Mare, North Petherton, Cheddar, Highbridge, Taunton, Bridgwater, Roadwater, Street, Yatton, Sandford, North Curry, Cheddar, Watchet, Shepton Mallet, Bleadon, Uphill, Chard, Minehead, Wellington, Chilthorne Dormer, Somerton, Glastonbury, Bradford-on-Tone, Middlezoy, Nunney, Langport, Castle Cary, Hambridge, Wincanton, Bruton, Withycombe and Ilminster.

They will now be visited by the judges before they announce the finalists at the beginning of February, with the grand final set to be held at the Bath & West Showground, in Shepton Mallet, on March 26.

Somerset Chamber managing director, David Crew, said: “It was great to see so many entries from all corners of the county, representing a wide range of sectors and industries.

“The awards are a fantastic way to share success stories and I am grateful for the sponsorship and support of so many of Somerset’s leading businesses.

“I am looking forward to the final as it is always a great opportunity to celebrate the successes and achievements of Somerset’s many incredible businesses and organisations.”

READ MORE: 2025 Somerset Business Awards winners revealed at glittering ceremony

Shortlisted companies, charities, individuals and organisations for the 2026 Somerset Business Awards are:

Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year Award

• AJ Wakely & Sons, Yeovil
• Datel Services Ltd, Weston-super-Mare
• Junction 24, North Petherton
• Nickel-Electro Ltd, Weston-super-Mare
• Polyvine Ltd, Cheddar
• Speedy Storage, Highbridge

Small Business of the Year (turnover up to £0.5 million) sponsored by Gather Technology Ltd

• Be Astute, Nunney
• Blunt Notion, Yeovil
• Dowlas Property Group, Cheddar
• Snugs Custom-Fit Ltd, Watchet
• The FutureStrong Partnership CIC, Weston-super-Mare
• The Kiln Café, Langport

Medium Business of the Year (turnover up to £5 million) sponsored by Brown & Brown

• Chrysalis Courses, Bridgwater
• First Class Comms Ltd, Weston
• Riverside Holiday Village, Bleadon
• The Middlewick, Glastonbury
• The Sleek Easy Clean, Glastonbury
• Wrencon, Taunton

Large Business of the Year (turnover over £5 million) sponsored by UCS College Group

• Amicus Law, Taunton
• Berry & Escott, Bridgwater
• Civils Store, Shepton Mallet
• Diverse Fine Foods, Taunton
• Refresco, Bridgwater
• Stantec, Taunton

Best Use of Digital Technology Award sponsored by Westcotts

• Darren Honeywell Video + Photography, North Curry
• FHOSS, Weston-super-Mare
• Lanier South West, Cheddar
• Snugs Custom-Fit Ltd, Watchet
• Toucan Law, Weston-super-Mare

Charity of the Year Award sponsored by Clarke Willmott

• Aishahs Food Charity, Weston-super-Mare
• Arc, Taunton
• Samaritans of Taunton
• Watch CIO, Chard
• Weston Hospicecare
• Youth Adventure Trust

Employer of the Year sponsored by Stephens Scown

• Calleva Limited, Bridgwater
• Civils Store, Shepton Mallet
• Optimus Education Limited, Taunton
• Pro Apprenticeships, Taunton
• Refresco, Bridgwater
• Singer Instruments, Roadwater

Investing in Somerset Award sponsored by Hinkley Point C

• Channel Events, Minehead
• Imagine the Possibilities, Taunton
• Reminiscence Learning, Wellington
• School in a Bag, Chilthorne Dormer
• SS&L CIC, Bridgwater
• The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts, Weston-super-Mare

Start-up of the Year Award sponsored by Battens Solicitors

• Be Laser & Skin Clinic, Taunton
• Mini Kingdom Soft Play, Yeovil
• The Better Living Clinic, Taunton
• The FutureStrong Partnership CIC, Weston-super-Mare
• West Country Cabs Ltd, Ilminster

Apprentice of the Year Award sponsored by University Centre Weston

• Boon Brown, Yeovil – Sydney Winter
• Brookside Academy (Strode College), Street – Harvey Lavallee
• Garador, Yeovil – Ben Parkin
• Refresco, Bridgwater – Sam Araldi
• Smart Systems Ltd, Yatton – Kayleigh Bain
• Talking Stick Digital, Bridgwater – Chloe Pavey
• Thatchers Cider, Sandford – Laura Cureton

Environmental and Sustainability Award sponsored by Agratas

• Carymoor Environmental Trust, Castle Cary
• Channel Events, Minehead
• Louise Crossman Architects, Withycombe
• Mill on the Brue Outdoor Education Centre, Bruton
• SG Eyecare, Wincanton
• Teapot Creative, Hambridge

Service Excellence Award sponsored by Porter Dodson

• Channel Events, Minehead
• Country Knole Interiors, Bradford-on-Tone
• Elements Boutique Spa, Middlezoy
• Haskins Furniture, Shepton Mallet
• Lendology, Bradford-on-Tone
• Nest GI, Weston-super-Mare
• Riverside Holiday Village, Bleadon

Manufacturing and Engineering Award sponsored by CNC Recruitment

• Bates Product Design, Highbridge
• Calleva Limited, Bridgwater
• Needles and Pins Aerospace, Somerton
• Polyvine Ltd, Cheddar
• Refresco, Bridgwater

Business Resilience and Growth Award sponsored by Barclays

• CL Drylining Ltd, Bridgwater
• Haskins Furniture, Shepton Mallet
• Riverside Holiday Village, Bleadon
• Technical ERP Limited, Uphill
• Wrencon, Taunton

READ MORE: Business news from your Somerset Leveller