The Red Rose Awards – Lancashire’s premier celebration of business excellence – are back for a 10th fantastic year and promise to be bigger and better than ever.
Details of the much-anticipated annual event were unveiled yesterday at a special launch at Stanley House in Mellor.
Award organisers Lancashire Business View revealed a new category for retail business of the year, a merged leisure and hospitality award and categories aimed at online sales and export.
They also unveiled a new timetable for the awards, which have been launched earlier to give businesses more time to enter. Entries will close at midnight on December 13.
And it all culminates in the biggest evening in the county’s business calendar – the glittering, prize-giving ceremony at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on March 12 next year.
As it marks its 10 th anniversary, the Red Rose Awards will bring back all its familiar favourites - a wide range of categories to cover organisations from all sectors, a sell-out ceremony with a massive party atmosphere, and a true celebration of all things Lancashire.
Headline sponsors Forbes Solicitors and Barclays have also pledged their support for another year. Forbes has been headline sponsors since the launch of the Red Rose Awards 10 years ago.
Blackpool and Fylde College has also been announced as judging partner for a second consecutive year.
Each year our aim is to celebrate Lancashire’s finest businesses in style, and each year we hear more awe-inspiring stories than before.
The Stanley House launch was the first of many networking opportunities being held as part of the awards programme to connect judges, sponsors and potential entrants.
The event saw Stanley House showcased as venue sponsor, plus Porsche Centre Bolton displaying its latest models of the iconic car brand in the grounds of the luxury venue.
Richard Slater, organiser of the awards and publisher of Lancashire Business View, said: “The Red Rose Awards is one of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the local business calendar year after year.
“This year we want to bring even more businesses to the party. We want you to recommend a ‘Red Roser’.”
He added: “We’ve been celebrating Lancashire’s business community for 10 years now. Each year our aim is to celebrate Lancashire’s finest businesses in style, and each year we hear more awe-inspiring stories than before.
Entering is also a great opportunity for companies to really reflect on what they have achieved over the last 12 months.
“We organise these awards to celebrate excellence, to provide platforms to share success and to promote trade in the county.”
Pauline Rigby, partner and head of corporate at Forbes Solicitors, said: “The Red Rose Awards give businesses a massive platform.
“Entering is also a great opportunity for companies to really reflect on what they have achieved over the last 12 months.”
John Stanworth, head of corporate banking at Barclays in Lancashire, urged businesses to get involved in the Red Rose Awards.
He said: “The quality of individuals in every business really comes through during the judging process. It is a fabulous experience.”
Colleen Hickson, of Blackpool and The Fylde College, said: “The judges are fantastic. There is a lot of effort, thought and time spent in making sure they make the right decisions.”
The Red Rose awards have also welcomed Bigtank as digital partner.
Other sponsors confirmed to date include 3ManFactory, Biz Space, Community Foundation for Lancashire, Fun at Work, James’ Places, Leonard Dews, Marketing Lancashire, Mattioli Woods, Napthens Solicitors, Pendle Engineering, Peter Scott Printers, Pink Link, Porsche Centre Bolton, Rosebud / Boost, Rowan Group, RSM, Seriun, Stanley House, Sundown Solutions, The Growth Company, The Rovers Events, UCLan and Veka.
The event will once again be raising funds for the Red Rose Awards charity partner Cash for Kids. In the past five years the event has raised £40,000 for the organisation.