Awards are the business!
THE largest ever number of local businesses, organisations and individuals have been selected to compete for 17 top trophies at Rossendale Business Awards.
The ninth ceremony will be held at The Riverside in Whitworth. Judges praised the standard of entries, which led them to selecting almost 60 finalists.
Rob Carder, chairman of organisers Valley at Work, said: “This is the most finalists we have ever had, because the quality was so high this year.”
The Rossendale Free Press award will this year reward those that took up the Business Challenge which was set by Rossendale Hospice. Businesses used their skills to devise imaginative ways of raising money for the charity.
Category winners receive an orange distinctive RAwards logo trophy, designed by former Alder Grange student Jake Ford and manufactured by the Rawtenstall school. The Valley at Work award, the finalists of which are only announced on the night, goes to the most inspirational business, or person and they win a bespoke glass engraving by Alexis Valentine from Walking on Glass. ●●
2018 FINALISTS
Business of The Year (5-10 Employees): GrowTraffic Ltd, Stanley Jacks Ltd, The Dearden Tea Rooms, Utility Smart Ltd; Business of The Year (11+ Employees): Arthouse Ltd, D T Law Butchers, IPH Electrical Ltd, Orthoplastics Limited; Food and Drink Business: A’Vucciria, DT Law Butchers, Northern Whisper Brewing Co Ltd, The Dearden Tea Rooms; Invest In Rossendale: A’Vucciria, Anna’s Café-Bar, Rossendale Radio Ltd, The Old Library Waterfoot CIC, The Soap Shack; Accessible Business: Anna’s Café-Bar, Rossendale Leisure Trust, The Boo, The Old Library Waterfoot CIC; Apprenticeship: Arthouse Ltd, Headmasters Lancashire, Rossendale Leisure Trust, Winter Solicitors; MicroBusiness: Chic Boutique Travel, Creation Signs Ltd, Dawn Rose Contemporary Jewellery & Accessories, Deni-Deni, Pinnacle Stonemasonry Ltd; Sole Trader: Catherine Smyth Media, Ivory Beau, Liz Henson Photography, Olly’s Woodland Learning, The Wellbeing Room; Enterprising Woman: Jane Boys, Kimberley Ashworth, Rachel Weinhold, Ruth Winter; Independent Retailer: DT Law Butchers, Dawn Rose Contemporary Jewellery & Accessories, Rileys Butchers, Roland’s Florist, Ruby & Daisy; Creative Business: Arthouse Ltd, Deni-Deni, Pinnacle Stonemasonry Ltd; Not for Profit: First Choice Credit Union, M3 Project Ltd, Valley Heritage; Service Business: Bright & Beautiful, Chic Boutique Travel, Connections2energy Ltd; Visit Rossendale: Lucardo Rawtenstall escape games, Ski Rossendale, The Boo, The Whitaker Museum, Art Gallery & Cultural Hub; Part Time Business: Baby Bliss, Liz Henson Photography, Mini Me Time, Ninja_Coffee, The Wellbeing Room; Employer of The Year: Arthouse Ltd, Headmasters Lancashire, Orthoplastics Limited, The Fisherman’s Retreat; Enterprising Young Person: Grace Bradshaw, Delta Eaton, Amy Evans, Theola Whittaker, Lizzie Mawson, Fearns Enterprise Challenge; Rossendale Free Press Award Business Challenge (Rossendale Hospice): Cassons Chartered Accountants, Chic Boutique Travel, Ivory Beau, Linemark/HD Signs, Snapper & Hack (Catherine Smyth and Liz Hall), Rossendales