THE finalists for the 2020 Winchester Business Excellence Awards have been announced.

Organised in partnership by the Hampshire Chronicle, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Winchester BID, the campaign was open to businesses within the district to recognise their achievements.

This year’s event is kindly sponsored by category sponsors Dutton Gregory, Paris Smith, University of Winchester, Winchester BID, Chesil House and Winchester City Council.

Judging this year’s awards were Winchester Business Excellence Awards head judge, group managing director of Winchester Motor Group and Chair of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce Winchester Business Strategy Group Mark Mills-Goodlet, business editor at LOCALiQ Darren Slade, Winchester BID Executive Director Paul Spencer and the category sponsors.

Mark Mills-Goodlet said: "Despite the extreme difficulties that businesses have experienced in 2020 we were extremely pleased with the amount of applications for the Winchester Business Excellence Awards, which were comparable in numbers to previous years.

"From reading the applications what really stood out was the way businesses have adapted to the changing business environment brought on by the pandemic and we definitely saw some entrepreneurial skill in evolving businesses in order to survive.

"My congratulations to all the applicants the quality of which demonstrates the thriving business community and its positive outlook that we have in the Winchester area."

The finalists for each category are:

Business Leader

Philip Tutt-Leppard - 360 integrated PR

Steven Northam , IncuHive

Zulfiya Truscott -IWG - Basepoint Business Centre (Winchester)

Digital Innovation

Donater Ltd

Ridge and Partners LLP

Whitwam AV integration

Large Business

Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists Ltd

Diametric Technical Ltd.

Ridge and Partners LLP

New Business

Discover Wellness Limited

Konings Detailing Winchester

OMU (Orthodontic Mobile Unit)

Service Excellence

Searle & Taylor Ltd

New Energy Fitness Ltd

Pretty Woman Beauty Salon

SME Independent Business

Searle & Taylor Ltd

Open House Deli

Workshop

Social Enterprise

Blue Apple Theatre

The Carroll Centre

Winchester Street Reach

Sustainable Business

Alfred's Brewery

River Coffee

Studio Republic

Young Business Person

Joel Barney - Sonder

Will Harrigan - River Coffee Roasters

See your Hampshire Chronicle or visit hampshirechronicle.co.uk for the winners and virtual event on Thursday December 17.