THE winners of the Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards 2022 have been announced at a glittering event at the Canalside in Bridgwater.

Over 200 businesspeople from across the district attended the gala evening on Friday, November 25.

The evening was organised by Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Sedgemoor FM broadcaster Dave Englefield.

The 2022 finalists come from all corners of the district including Cheddar, Burnham, Bridgwater, North Petherton, Highbridge and Nether Stowey.

A spokesperson for Zeal Hotels, the main event sponsor, said: “We’re thrilled to be sponsoring this year’s Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards.

“We have so many growing, innovative, and prosperous businesses in Sedgemoor and these awards give each business a chance shine and celebrate their successes at a fantastic night hosted by the Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce!

“A huge congratulations to all of the finalists and the winners – they should be proud of all they have achieved this year.”

Chamber manager Diogo Rodrigues thanked everyone who entered.

He said: “I’m extremely proud of Sedgemoor’s businesses. We were all blown away by the quality of the over 100 entries that we received and what Sedgemoor’s businesses are achieving.

“It was fantastic to be able to honour winners and finalists from all corners of the district and from a wide range of sectors.

“Thank you to everyone who entered the awards and to our judges and sponsors who continue to make these the biggest and best business awards in Sedgemoor.”

Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards 2022 winners and finalists

Sustainability/Low Carbon Award – Sponsored by New Leaf

Presona UK – WINNER: “Thank you to all involved at this year’s awards. To win this year has meant so much to our team for all the hard work they have all put in.”

Balanced Energy: “We were really excited to be nominated for the awards. Sustainability and Net Zero emissions is so important and will be at the heart of the most successful businesses. Congratulations to all the business that were part of the night.”

Bridgwater United FC: “Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce and the judges for recognition. As a club, we recognise the football world is ever evolving, as is the world in which we all play a role to sustain and support.”

Apprentice/Workplace Trainee of the Year – Sponsored by Bridgwater & Taunton College

Somerset Larder – Estevan Colangelo - WINNER

OD Talent Solutions - Hana Lovel: “Getting to the top three has been amazing. Thank you to my team for putting me forward and the judges for the recognition. Congratulations everyone!”

Poolbridge Accountancy - Chloe Smith: “A huge congratulations to all the finalists in the Workplace Trainee category. Chloe getting to the final three is a huge achievement and well deserved.”

Digital Services Business of the Year – Sponsored by Double Brace

Talking Stick Digital - WINNER

Qss IT: “Thank you to Bridgwater Chamber, Judges & event Sponsors for such an opportunity. To get to the final is a great thing, all credit to the Qss IT Solutions team”

The Digital Cogs: “Being within the final three is such a privilege. We would like to thank all our team and clients for helping us get this far!”

Hospitality & Tourism Business of the Year – Sponsored by SDS Ltd

Laurel Farm Glamping – WINNER: “We are over the moon to accept our Hospitality and Tourism Business of the Year Award - a huge personal achievement for our family-run business and recognition of our hard work over the last two years”

Ibis Bridgwater: “A huge congratulation to all the winners. We are proud finalists of this category and had a fantastic evening celebrating with all the Sedgemoor businesses at the awards.”

Kitchen at Quantocks

Construction in Sedgemoor – Sponsored by Astron Fire & Security

Melhuish & Saunders – WINNER: “Melhuish & Saunders are privileged to be the winner of Construction in Sedgemoor, a great accolade for the team. Many thanks to all involved in the Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards.”

Constructs South West: “We are delighted to have been nominated for this award. It is important to us as it recognises our hard-working staff & sub-contractors and the dedication that we have to construction industry.”

Bridgwater Independent Trader/Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Bridgwater Town Council

Alise & Louie – WINNER: “Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce and the Judges for the recognition of our efforts to bring new life to the high street. It’s a huge honour to have won, particularly when you see the other fantastic businesses. This award gives us the boost to keep motivated! A huge thank you to the wonderful team who have helped us and of course to our lovely customers.”

Lounge Danilo: “To be recognised by the Sedgemoor Business awards is an achievement that I’m very proud of and everyone in this category should be too. Well done all, keep shining!”

Paul Smith Associates: “To even be shortlisted two years in a row is an absolute honour in itself. We can’t be thankful enough for recognising the achievements of our local, family run business.”

Innovative Business of the Year – Sponsored by Maxwells Accountants

Presona UK – WINNER: “Thank you to all involved at this year’s awards. To win this year has meant so much to our team for all the hard work they have all put in.”

Little Adventures Nursery Group: “We strive to do things differently at Little Adventures Nurseries, using innovative technology to put the parent partnership at the heart of everything we do and are delighted to receive this recognition.”

Sansum Solutions Group: “Sansum are delighted to continue to take part in these fantastic awards and having been nominated, yet again, as finalists for the Large Business of the Year Awards, together with the Innovation in Business Awards.  The Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards afford an opportunity for companies, like ours, to showcase the dedication, hard work and commitment of our fantastic staff at Sansum Solutions Group”

New Business of the Year – Sponsored by The Design Hive

West Country Drainage Services – WINNER: “This is our ultimate dream to have won means the world to us and helps put trust back into our trade, thank you Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce for the opportunity.”

Southwest Trade Frames

Somerset Joinery Solutions: “Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce for selecting Somerset Joinery Solutions to be in the final three in the new business of the year awards. Congratulations to all the winners!”

Best Employer of the Year – Sponsored by Clarke Willmott

Ibis Bridgwater – WINNER: “Thank you Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards for the opportunity to showcase our hotel’s successes and the team behind it! We are delighted to win the award!”

Holiday Inn Express Bridgwater: “We are proud to be recognised as a finalist in this category. Thank you Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards for a fantastic evening of celebrations”.

Talking Stick Digital

Small Business of the Year (1-5 Employees) – Sponsored by OD Talent Solutions

New Leaf – WINNER: “Winning is amazing, first we thought, then we believed and finally the dream came true. This is truly a lovely new leaf for all of the team at New Leaf Workplace Wellbeing, thank you.”

Jaeger Recruitment: “We were privileged to be nominated for a 2nd year in a row. Thankyou for the recognition of our achievements.”

Balanced Energy: “We were really excited to be nominated for the awards. To be part of the final three for small business of the year in our second year as a business is a huge achievement and something we are very proud of. Congratulations to all the business that were part of the night.”

Medium Business of the Year (6-30 Employees) – Sponsored by Maxwells Accountants

Ocean Adventures – WINNER: “At Ocean Adventurers, we push boundaries and challenge traditional norms to be the best indoor play centre in the South-West and we are delighted to win this award at the Business Awards!”

Holiday Inn Express Bridgwater: “We are proud to be recognised as a finalist in this category. Thank you Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards for a fantastic evening of celebrations.”

Presona UK: “Congratulations to all the winners this year, and a big thank to the Chamber of Commerce for a great evening. We are still happy to make it as finalists.”

Large Business of the Year (30+ Employees) – Sponsored by Walpole Dunn 

Sansum Solutions Group – WINNER: “We are delighted to be part of this special celebration and be recognised, once again, as winners for the Large Business of the Year Awards for the third consecutive year, it’s just such a fantastic achievement.  We dedicate our continued success and growth to all our fantastic staff at Sansum Solutions Group.”

Ibis Bridgwater: “A huge congratulation to all the winners. We are proud finalists of this category and had a fantastic evening celebrating with all the Sedgemoor businesses at the awards.”

Jasun Envirocare

Sedgemoor Independent Trader/Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Sedgemoor District Council

Southwest Trade Frames – WINNER: “We are delighted to be announced as winners and be recognised for our hard work and dedication, this is a big achievement for us as a small family run business.”

S.Print: “To be a finalist is a great honour and I'd like to thank the Chamber of commerce and all of my customers.”

Community Engagement – Sponsored by Bridgwater Town Team

Somewhere House Somerset – WINNER: “We are a small charity who help up to 125 people a week. We have been around for 11 years quietly doing what we do bringing the community and families together. It’s great to get some recognition for the work that we do. Thank you to the organisers for this prestigious award.”

The Purplespoon Cafe, Catering & Events

Your IT Now: “It amazing to be runner up to such a well deserved winner . Thanks to the Business awards for this incredible opportunity and honour.”

Family Business of the Year – Sponsored by Milsted Langdon

Jasun Envirocare – WINNER

The Tudor Hotel & Restaurant: “We are so thankful to have been a finalist for Sedgemoor Business Awards. Congratulations to everyone for all their hard work.”

West Country Drainage Services: “We feel we have won just to be shortlisted in the top three for three categories! Thank you Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce for the opportunity to be recognised in the industry.”

Customer Service Excellence – Sponsored by QSS IT Ltd.

West Country Drainage Services – WINNER: “This is our ultimate dream to have won means the world to us and helps put trust back into our trade, thank you Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce for the opportunity.”

Holiday Inn Express Bridgwater: “We are proud to be recognised as a finalist in this category. Thank you Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards for a fantastic evening of celebrations.”

S Roberts & Son