THE Bolton and Bury Business Awards are back for the ninth year.

This year the prestigious event is being moved from its regular June slot, back to September 11, so it does not clash with this summer’s World Cup.

So that gives everyone wanting to enter a long run in to get their application forms completed and sent off before the July closing date.

Again we have headline sponsors in Bolton Council and the University of Bolton.

And we are joined for a second year by Stateside Foods from Westhoughton, one of the area’s largest food companies, who are sponsoring the prestigious Business of the Year award.

We have also attracted another food company as a sponsor in Carrs Pasties.

After boss John Carr scooped several awards last year, he decided to step in a sponsor the We’re Backing Bolton/Bury category.

John’s firm, in Manchester Road, is a well established family company in Bolton.

Lostock missile company MBDA, which has recently announced a move to a multi-million pound new factory at the former Cutacre site, now called Logistics North, is looking after the Best Apprentice/Young Person award this year.

The company, which employs its own award-winning apprentices, is one of the leading experts in training apprentices.


Pictured are, back, from left, Ian Bateson from Santander, Martyn Shaw of University of Bolton Business School, John Carr from Carrs Pasties, Ryan Battersby from Stateside, Cllr Cliff Morris leader of Bolton Council. Front, seated on arm, Joseph Carr of Carrs Pasties, Keith Davies, director of development and regeneration, Bolton Council, Nicola Roby, audit compliance partner, Warings Business Advisers, Natalie Wolstenholme and Heather Middlehurst of Stateside Foods and James Fleming, first year apprentice representing MBDA


Another old established Bolton company, Warings Chartered Accountants of Chorley New Road, is also joining us for a second year, sponsoring the popular Family Business category.

And looking for the cream of the crop in small businesses is major bank Santander, again joining us for a second year and sponsoring the SME award.

You can read more about our sponsors here.

The black-tie evening is a great event with more than 500 guests enjoying a champagne reception, dinner and entertainment before the awards are presented.

Norman Prince will again be our host for the evening.

The awards are a chance to celebrate the best and raise your profile, meet up with old friends and give your employees a well deserved pat on the back.

To book a table at £500 for ten seats, contact 0845 3139463 (local rate) or e-mail events@nqnw.co.uk

TO ENTER

To enter is easy, just click here to go to our online entry form and choose your category.

Complete the entry form online, or download it and return it to Lynn Ashwell, deputy editor, The Bolton News, The Wellsprings, Civic Centre, Bolton, BL1 1AR, by July 17.

If you want to include more information, testimonials, brochures or extra evidence please attach it to your application form, or send it to the above address.

If you have any queries, contact Lynn on 01204 537277 or e-mail lynn.ashwell@nqnw.co.uk.

THE CATEGORIES

  • Business of the Year
  • Business Person of the Year
  • SME of the Year
  • Start Up Business of the Year
  • Customer Excellence Award
  • Family Business of the Year
  • Community Award
  • We’re Backing Bolton/Bury ward
  • Young Person/Apprentice of the Year
  • Best Company for Apprentice Development Award