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