JUDGES have picked the finalists for the annual Open 4 Business awards.

They met at the Enterprise Connection on the Granby Industrial Estate to sift through a record 51 applications from 40 companies.

Five businesses have scored nominations in two categories. They are Equation Accounting, ONUS Technologies, Sunflowers, Sunshine Ceramics and Swift Signs.

Now finalists are looking forward to the awards ceremony at Weymouth College on October 7 – timed for the opening week of Open 4 Business for the first time.

Steering committee chairman Gareth Jones, who is regeneration and business development officer at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said: “Open 4 Business 2009 will be focusing on getting all businesses ‘fit 4 business’ in readiness for 2012. “Open 4 Business offers outstanding opportunities for local businesses to be recognised for their achievements and be inspired by one of the many networking and education events taking place during the festival.”

The awards ceremony and dinner are the highlight of the annual Open 4 Business extravaganza, from October 5 to 16.

Organisers have cancelled Lyme Regis and Bridport awards ceremonies and consolidated them into the main ceremony.

This was because of the spread of entries and greater response from the Weymouth and Dorchester area.

More than 15 per cent of the entries were from new businesses and the new tourism award attracted many businesses along the Jurassic Coast, including some from Purbeck.

The prestigious Business of the Year title will be presented on the awards night on October 7.

Champagne Video Productions will be visiting each of the finalists to compile a short film which will be shown at the awards ceremony. Weymouth College projects manager Sarah Colwell and Julie Cleaver of Popcorn Marketing managed the judging process at the Enterprise Connection.

The judges included Caroline Brewer, who is director of People and Strategy Limited, Dorset New Forest Tourism Partnership project manager Jo Edom and Dorchester Bid project manager Phil Gordon.

The panel included Dorset Echo editor Toby Granville, Enterprise Connection centres manager Karenlee Knott and Business Link Dorset director Steve Matthews and Greg Mudge, who is a consultant to DJ Property.

Also on the board of judges were Geoff Petherick, who is Weymouth and Portland Borough Council briefholder for economic development, and Basepoint Weymouth manager and chamber of commerce president Nigel Reed.

The final event of the Open 4 Business festival will be a closing lunch sponsored by the Weymouth and Portland chamber. Book any of the free events on the Open 4 Business website at o4business.co.uk.

Call Dawn Linney on 01305 340800 to book tickets for the awards dinner

West Dorset Small Business (sponsored by West Dorset District Council)

Catwards Draughting

Wallis Agency

Fuzzy Music Studios

Weymouth & Portland Small Business (sponsored by Federation of Small Businesses)

ONUS Technologies

Sunflowers Floral Design

Halos & Heroes

First Time in Business (Enterprise Connection)

B+B

Sunshine Ceramics

Equation Accounting

Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Weymouth College)

Wowz Design & Print

Blondz Hairdressing Salon

Excellence in Customer Service (sponsored by Champagne Video and Film)

Arnold Jones

Farmer Palmers

Swift Signs

Exporter of the Year (sponsored by D J Property)

Swift Signs

Aquarium Technology

Tourism Business of the Year (sponsored by Getaway Digital)

Clare House

Sunshine Ceramics

Farmer Palmers

Technology in Business (sponsored by Universal Engineering)

Cocoa Media

Equation Accounting

ONUS Technologies

Jurassic Coast Sustainability (sponsored by Jurassic Coast/DNFP)

Hive Beach Café

Bagwell Farm Touring Park

Business of the Year (sponsored by Business Link – main sponsor)

Announced on the awards night.