2023 Rochdale Business Awards marks 10th anniversary

Rochdale Business Awards are back for 2023 following a four-year hiatus.

The awards ceremony and gala dinner, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary, will take place on Friday 3 November at Number One Riverside. Celebrating the achievements and contributions that Rochdale businesses make to the borough, the event also raises thousands of pounds for Springhill Hospice.

With the application process now open, entries are being invited from businesses and entrepreneurs based within the borough across the eight categories:

• Business of the Year - Turnover more than £5m
• Business of the Year - Turnover less than £1m
• Business Person of the Year
• New Business of the Year
• Apprentice of the Year
• Apprentice Employer of the Year
• Sustainable Environmental Business of the Year

The Rochdale business awards ceremony is seen as a key event in the Rochdale business calendar and as such, many of the sponsors, who have been part of the event since its inception, have again pledged their support, including: Business Growth Hub, Hopwood Hall College, Jackson Jackson Ltd, Molesworth Bright Clegg, Recruitment Solutions NW, Rochdale Training Association, Target Fire Protection and Willmot Dixon.

The event is always a sell-out with 300 guests enjoying a drinks reception, entertainment, the awards ceremony and private after-show party.

Andy and Karen Turner from Kandy Kitchen Creations who won New Business of the Year in 2019 said: “We decided to apply for the Rochdale Business Awards in the ‘New Business of the Year’ category when our business was just over a year old.

“We didn’t expect to win but it was the first step in our ‘what’s the worst that could happen?’ approach to business that has served us well in the latter years.

“We looked in awe at some of the other finalists in our category so arrived at the ceremony determined just to have a good night and perhaps make some new contacts. Then the unimaginable happened… we won!

“The response from other businesses was great, with many people coming to our table to convey their congratulations. To a fledgling business this really meant the world and gave us the confidence that we were on the right track.

“In March 2021, we received a phone call from a BBC researcher, asking if we had ever thought of going on Dragons’ Den. Our initial reaction was to run a mile, however our positive experience at the Rochdale Business Awards gave us the confidence to say yes and three months later we had offers from Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden and Touker Sulyman.

“We are proud to be based in Rochdale and now have a team of eight amazing staff working with us.

“Our advice would be to enter the Rochdale Business Awards – even if you are just starting up or have never entered anything in the past. Just ask yourself ‘what’s the worst that could happen?’!”

Neil Eccles, head of innovation at Rochdale Development Agency said: “Rochdale Business Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the many outstanding businesses we have within the borough and showcase their achievements. Rochdale is an exciting place to do business and with work starting shortly on the Advanced Machinery and Productivity Innovation Centre building at Kingsway, plus Atom Valley, the Greater Manchester Mayoral Development Zone, there will be even more jobs and business opportunities on the horizon.”

Carol Hopkins, chair of the business awards steering group added: “We’re delighted that awards are back and can’t wait to celebrate our 10th anniversary with the Rochdale business community. There’s plenty of time for businesses and individuals to submit an entry and I’d encourage anyone to get involved. As our previous winners have explained, it’s a great way to get recognition and exposure for your business.”

The closing date for entries is Friday 22 September 2023.

The online application form and criteria for each of the eight categories can be found on the website www.rochdalebusinessawards.co.uk.