Pendle Business Awards – going live!

Between Monday January 9 and Friday February 10 you can enter for an award online.

The Awards recognise the most promising and fastest growing businesses in the borough as well as the people behind them.

And Pendle Business Awards 2012 will celebrate our innovative local companies which despite the difficult economic climate are continuing to thrive.

The borough's first ever Business Awards in 2008 had all the glitz and glamour of The Oscars, showcasing the best of the borough's businesses.

Pendle Council and Pendle Vision, which are again jointly organising this year's event, are working hard to make sure it's even bigger and better.

Councillor Mike Blomeley, Leader of Pendle Council and Chairman of Pendle Partnership, which oversees the work of Pendle Vision, said:

"There are nine categories to choose from.

"Whether you're a micro company with a specialist trade, a growing small to medium-sized business or a large company with a worldwide reputation, there'll be a category for you.

"Seize this opportunity and help us fanfare your successes and celebrate what you've achieved!

"In these difficult economic times we want to shout about all the good things in Pendle.

"What are you waiting for? Enter online!"

Dennis Mendoros, OBE, DL, FRAeS is Chairman of Pendle Vision and Managing Director of Euravia Engineering and Supply Co Ltd, added:

"This is a great platform for us to put Pendle in the spotlight and show what we're made of!

"Our event in 2010 was spectacular! It was marked by screams of delight and rapturous applause as the winners were announced.

"All of the winning companies had fantastic success stories showing how they've gone from strength to strength.

"And the shocked look on some of the recipients' faces was a picture!"

The judges will shortlist entries in February and visit the successful businesses in February/March so entrants can present their case for winning an award.

Those shortlisted will join a select group of Pendle's most successful businesses.

They will be invited to attend a dinner, at the Arts, Culture and Enterprise (ACE) Centre in Nelson, on April 27.

On the night award sponsors will announce the winners and present trophies in a glittering Oscars-style ceremony.

This will be organised by event management company Pennine Events which won the contract to co-ordinate the evening.

Winners will receive a Pendle - an elegant glass and metal sculpture inspired by Pendle Hill, engraved with their name and the award category. And all shortlisted businesses will receive a framed certificate.

Timeline

9 January - Entries open

10 February - Entries close

22 February - Judges announce shortlisted businesses

February/March - Judges visit shortlisted businesses

27 April - Awards ceremony

Categories

• Business Person of the Year
• Environmental Business of the Year
• Pendle Business Technology and Innovation of the Year
• Most Outstanding Medium/Large Business of the Year (30+)
• Most Outstanding Small Business of the Year (10-30)
• Most Outstanding Micro Business of the Year (0-10)
• New Business of the Year
• Small Retailer of the Year
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year (under 30 years old)
• Lifetime Achievement (Chairman's Award)

Sponsors

Pendle Business Awards is sponsored by:

• Pendle Vision
• Pendle Council
• Barnfield Construction
• Euravia Engineering
• Printoff Graphic Arts
• Merc
• Weston EU Ltd

Judging panel

• Allan Buck, Pendle Vision Board member
• Kelly Eardley, Business Support and Development Officer, Pendle Council
• Imtiaz Shah, Employer Engagement officer, Pendle Council
• Philip McIvor, Farmhouse Biscuits
• Saj Butt, 3B Systems