THE waiting is nearly over for finalists in the annual Open 4 Business Awards at Weymouth College tonight.
They will hear if they have won a coveted award at a ceremony in the college’s theatre after a gala dinner.
Judges sifted through a record 51 applications from 40 companies before picking the final shortlist for the revamped, Business Link sponsored awards this year.
Five businesses have scored nominations in two categories. They are Equation Accounting, ONUS Technologies, Sunflowers, Sunshine Ceramics and Swift Signs.
The awards ceremony and dinner are the highlight of the annual Open 4 Business extravaganza, from October 5 to 16.
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 also be presented tonight.
BusinessXchange broker Laura McHarrie from Business Link and Julie Cleaver from Popcorn Marketing will host the awards tonight.
The evening will include a drinks reception, main meal, entertainment and awards. There will be a collection for the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.
Guests will be able to carry on the celebrations at Dusk nightclub after the awards finish.
College students will cook and serve the dinner – made of local produce – and also act as hosts and guides, and provide entertainment before the awards.
PICTURE SPECIAL IN YOUR ECHO ON FRIDAY
The finalists
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
Tourism Business of the Year (sponsored by Getaway Digital)
Clare House
Sunshine Ceramics
Farmer Palmers
Exporter of the Year (sponsored by D J Property)
Swift Signs
Aquarium Technology
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 tonight
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article