Rochdale Business Awards launched

More than 30 representatives of all sectors of the business community of Rochdale attended the launch of the inaugural Rochdale Business Awards.

Sponsored by Wilson Bowden, partners in the development of Kingsway Business Park the lunch event - at Bella Vista, Wildhouse Lane,- kickstarted the process which will lead to a gala, black tie dinner at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 4 November.

Steve Lowe, relationship director at NatWest Commercial and Business Banking in Rochdale, has agreed to chair a steering group comprising the private sector representatives who are driving the process alongside Rochdale Local Council of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. Rochdale MBC is lending its support in kind.

He spoke of his 'pride' at being asked to lead the group and his conviction that the awards would be a true showcase of a vibrant and thriving business environment in Rochdale.

Ahead of the launch the group had already secured title sponsorship from construction group Jackson, Jackson and Sons Ltd., whose headquarters are in Red Lane, and the bank.

Target Fire Protection and MCA accountants have agreed to become category sponsors and a number of companies, including Anthony K Associates, have signed up as Associate Sponsors.

Rochdale Online is an official communications partner for the event and the Rochdale Observer is the official media partner.

There are nine categories - all of which can be found on www.rochdalebusinessawards.co.uk - and the organisers hope that nominations will start to come in during the new few months.

Nominations can be made online or hard copies can be printed off and posted to Paua PR & Training, Hillstone House, 29 Hillstone Avenue, Rochdale, OL12 6DX.

Mr Lowe concluded: "We are looking forward immensely to what should be an exciting few months. It's been a few years since the Rochdale Chamber of Commerce business awards, which were hugely successful, and the support we have had to date suggests we can anticipate a successful process.

"The awards will be an Oscars-style presentation with food, entertainments DVDs of the category finalists and all the glitz of a professional awards evening."