A GROWING West Somerset business has been shortlisted for a prestigious business award just three years since it was created by friends Tim Roe and Toby Thomas.

RocketGro, based on Mr Roe’s 5,000-acre family farm between Nether Stowey and Cannington, is in the running for the environmental and sustainability category of the prestigious Somerset Business Awards 2024.

A Somerset Chamber of Commerce spokesperson said: “The announcement is a great way to kick-off what is already set to be an exciting year for the homegrown business.

“The theme of this award also strikes at the very core of RocketGro’s ethos as a game-changing peat-free, sustainable business.

The shortlist has been announced for this year's Somerset Business Awards.
The shortlist has been announced for this year's Somerset Business Awards. (Somerset Chamber of Commerce)

“As organisations become increasingly aware of their environmental responsibilities, the environmental and sustainability award aims to recognise those companies or individuals in Somerset that demonstrate a positive and long-term impact on the environment within their business.”

Judges for the category will look for evidence showing how entrants have improved environmental performance, implemented an efficient use of resources, or supported sustainable development/environmentally-friendly schemes.

RocketGro was set up in 2021 by Mr Roe and Mr Thomas and now employs about 40 people producing a 24-strong portfolio of premium peat-free growing products, including its flagship Magic Mulch, best-selling Fruit and Veg Compost, Seedand Cutting Compost, and Multi-Purpose with added John Innes.

Last year, the famous River Cottage brought RocketGro on board as its exclusive compost supplier, praising the Somerset manufacturer’s products for their performance, long-lasting fertility powered by microbes, and local, sustainable production, which includes powering thousands of homes via an on-site biogas plant.

All RocketGro products are chemical free, 100 per cent organic-approved, British grown, sourced and manufactured, and are the by-product of renewable energy production, while its packaging is also completely recyclable.

Managing director Mr Thomas said: “We are so proud of our business and what we have achieved in just a few short years.

“RocketGro is the most eco-friendly compost producer at scale in the UK today and this recognition from the panel of judges at the Somerset Business Awards adds further weight to the good work we are doing to produce quality peat-free compost and growing media products in a 100 per cent sustainable way, leaving an almost carbon neutral footprint.

“In fact, business-wide carbon neutrality for RocketGro should be achieved this year, which is no mean feat for an emerging business.”

The winner of the category will be announced at an awards in March during a black-tie celebration in the Winter Gardens Pavilion, Weston-super-Mare.