OFFICE space company Thrive has been announced as one of this year’s sponsors for The Bolton News Business Awards.

The Bury-based business, which offers co-working spaces and office suites, recently opened a £750,000 facility in Miller House, Farnworth.

Thrive has now teamed up with with The Bolton News, to sponsor the annual business awards, which will take place at The University of Bolton Stadium on Thursday, September 26.

The sponsors, who will also help to judge the entries, include headline sponsor Bolton Council.

Speaking about the partnership, Matthew Settle, managing director of Thrive said: “Thrive is proud to be sponsoring the Start-up category at the Bolton Business Awards. We operate our serviced office space at Miller House in Farnworth and having only opened six months ago. We’ve seen first-hand how active and dynamic the business community is. We have a mix of businesses from all sorts of different sectors at Miller House but they enjoy using the shared spaces we have created and there’s a real sense of community growing in the building.

“We decided to open Thrive in Farnworth because we’ve been impressed by the amount of investment coming into the area through the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Town Centre Challenge and the plans for the new town centre. These all means the future looks great for Farnworth and we hope Miller House is helping local businesses realise we can help their businesses grow, close to home, and in turn support the wider business community both in Farnworth and Bolton.

“We know our category will be one of the most competitive in the awards this year and look forward to congratulating everyone who takes part later this year.”

This year, the 14th of the awards, there are 15 categories, including Regeneration Project of the Year, Family Business of the Year, Not for Profit Organisation of the Year and a special Editor’s Award.

There are also awards recognising apprentices and young people, as well as business in the community.

Along with the main sponsors, there are also some companies sponsoring individual categories, including Stateside Foods (Business of the Year), Market Place Bolton (Regeneration Project of the Year Award), MBDA (Manufacturer of the Year), and Farnell Jaguar (Customer Excellence).

Jon Lucas, managing director at Stateside Foods, said: “Stateside Foods has been proud to call Bolton its home for more than 25 years. Our fantastic team of more than 1,000 talented individuals live in areas in and surrounding Bolton.

“Bolton is known for its excellent community spirit. Its desire to come together to celebrate successes reflects our own values at Stateside Foods, where hard work and innovation are recognised and rewarded.

“We are proud to sponsor The Bolton News Business Awards again this year and look forward to meeting and celebrating the fantastic people who help to make Bolton the thriving success story it is.’

Nikki Wilson-Cook, centre manager at Market Place said: “Having undergone our own regenerative transformation in recent years, at Market Place we recognise the value of such investments on both the town’s infrastructure and the whole community.

“So we are thrilled to sponsor this year’s Regeneration Project of the Year Award’ t The Bolton News Business Awards.”

Ged O’Dwyer, manufacturing sector head – air defence missiles & weapon systems for MBDA (UK), said: “MBDA is a market-leader in weapon systems, providing our armed forces with cutting-edge defence capability.

“MBDA supports The Bolton News Business Awards because of its long manufacturing history in the area.

“Also as the awards promote the need to recognise and develop young people and promotes apprenticeships generally, which is a long term strategy for developing future engineers and manufacturing capability within MBDA.”

The awards presentation will follow a three-course meal and there will be entertainment during the evening.

Karl Holbrook, editor of The Bolton News, said: “Our awards are recognised as one of the premier events in the business calendar. We want as many firms of all kinds, as well as individuals, to enter.

“I would like to thank all of our sponsors for supporting these awards ­— it is hugely appreciated.”

Entering the awards is easy ­— simply visit theboltonnews.co.uk and click on ‘Business Awards 2019’ to see all 15 categories, their criteria and to complete the application form.

The deadline for entries has just been extended so don’t delay ­— make sure you complete an application as soon as possible.