BUSINESSES big and small will come together on Friday as West Oxfordshire crowns its companies of the year.

More than 30 finalists are set to descend on Heythrop Park in Chipping Norton for the eagerly awaited 2019 West Oxfordshire Business Awards (WOBAs) gala dinner.

They come in all shapes and sizes, from global motorbike and bicycle gear supplier Oxford Products, to the 2120 (Witney) Squadron air cadets.

Read again: All the finalists for the 2019 WOBAs

Family-run phone repair shop iRepairTech, based on Witney High Street, will be one of the smaller companies represented on Friday and is shortlisted in the micro business category.

The shop won the new business category three years ago, but chief technical officer Rich Hikins claimed the impact the award had on the company was the real prize.

He said: “For us, we’ve already won. Since winning in 2016 it has been tremendous to be embedded in the local business community.

“Even entering the awards makes you really think about your business. You think you know it, but you really explore your business, rather than sitting still.”

The Witney resident owns the business with his wife Sherryn, and iRepairTech has now completed 21,000 repairs since starting in 2013.

Read again: £3,000 given to community groups in the district

Mr Hikins said: "If we walk away with a plaque as a finalist then that's just as much recognition. We're a successful, family-run local business and we work hard every day."

At the other end of the scale is Eynsham-based installation service 3D Aluminium, which is 45 years old and works across the south of England.

This is the first time the company has entered the WOBAs, which business development director, Craig Simms, revealed was down to changes it has made in recent years.

In 2012, the business had 216 orders worth £5.5m, but after moving to bigger projects it made £7.5m from 36 orders four years later.

Mr Simms said: "We've made some improvements in the last five years and are really proud of those.

"We're just pleased to be a finalist, so any success for us on the night would be massive."

More than 300 people will attend the black-tie event, where fundraising will take place for Volunteer Link-Up, last year's winner of the charity prize.

Read again: Female construction boss talks about breaking perceptions in the industry

Finalists in the 11 categories are considered for the Cally Robson award, which recognises outstanding businesses with great potential.

Meanwhile, all category winners, except business person of the year, are considered for the West Oxfordshire business of the year award.

Alexandra Rae of Wise Investment, sponsors of the business person of the year award, said: “Judging the WOBAs gives me an insight into the amazing businesses here in West Oxfordshire. Each year judging gets harder as the quantity, quality and variety of entrants rises and we are especially delighted with this year’s three finalists."

WOBA 2019 Finalists:

  • Hospitality, Leisure & Tourism Award sponsored by Seldram Cleaning & Washroom Supplies

* Chapters Hair Design, The Plough Inn at Finstock, Hunters Cake Café,

  • Retail Award sponsored by NFU Mutual

* Oxford Welding Supplies, MyStore Self Storage, Loft

  • Charity Award sponsored by Everyman Legal

* Lawrence Home Nursing, 2120 (Witney) Squadron Air Training Corps, Guideposts Trust

  • Business and Community Award sponsored by Meech

* Oxford Products, Witney Music Festival, Burford School

  • Innovation Award sponsored by Owen Mumford

* Oxtex, Cryptocycle, HT2 Labs

  • Employer of the Year Award sponsored by The MGroup

* Solid Structures, Oxford Products, Advance Housing

  • New Business Award sponsored by Blenheim Palace

* SWJ Consulting, Verve & Virtue, MyStore Self Storage

  • Micro Business Award sponsored by Witney Business & Innovation Centre

* iRepairTech, Stoneletters, Oxford Welding Supplies

  • Small Business Award sponsored by Veritrec

* Solid Structures, BIBO Water, CQR Consulting

  • Large Business Award sponsored by Sandler Training

* Oxford Products, Little Dots Daycare, 3D Aluminium

  • Business Person of the Year Award sponsored by Wise Investment

* Martin Bull (Inclusive Care & Education), Brendan Kay (Parkers), Greg Inge, (CQR Consultancy)