Mike Newton the big winner at the Rochdale Business Awards 2014

Businessman of the Year - Mike Newton (Treat Yourself Boutique) with his mum
Rochdale Business Awards 2014

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Mike Newton, of Treat Yourself Boutique, scooped two of the awards at the Rochdale Business Awards. Mr Newton won both Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Businessman of the Year.

He said: "I am speechless, honoured and overwhelmed. The whole experience has been great. I feel like I have got something from all the hard work I have put in. The support from customers has been really strong so I must say a big thank you to them."

Julie Bowmer won the Businesswoman of the Year award, she said: "I am overwhelmed. Just overwhelmed. I am so happy to win and so glad it's a Rochdale award."

Rochdale Town Hall was filled with excitement as thirty nominees waited to find out if they had been successful at the glittering awards ceremony, held in the magnificent Great Hall at Rochdale Town Hall last night (7 November).

Awards were given out in ten different categories.

Winners were:

• Business of the Year (turnover more than £5m) 
  Sponsored by NatWest 
  Salt Separation Services

• Business of the Year (turnover between £1m and £5m) 
  Sponsored by Jackson Jackson & Sons
  GJD Manufacturing Ltd

• Business of the Year (turnover under £1m)
  Sponsored by Recruitment Solutions NW
  Body Pro Personal Training 

• High Street Retailer of the Year
  Sponsored by Middleton Shopping
  Chantilly

• Businessman of the Year
  Sponsored by Junction 21
  Mike Newton

• Businesswoman of the Year 
  Sponsored by Molesworths Bright Clegg
  Julie Bowmer

• Apprentice Employer of the Year
  Sponsored by Hopwood Hall
  PT Holroyd Precision Ltd

• Young Entrepreneur of the Year
  Sponsored by Blue Orchid
  Mike Newton

• Skills and Workforce Development
  Sponsored by Rochdale Training 
  Northern Employment Services

• Start Up Business of the Year
  Sponsored by Target Fire Protection
  Ashworth View Nursery

Stephanie Duckworth, of Northern Employment Services, said: "We are ecstatic. My partner Joan Pooley and I started this business nearly 21 years ago. To win this award is a fantastic accolade and we wouldn't be here without our wonderful team that has made this possible."

The awards were established in 2011 to celebrate the achievements of businesses and business people within Rochdale Borough.

Event organiser Martyn Torr said: "It has been a splendid evening that showed Rochdale at it's best. The response from the audience was superb and made the atmosphere special." 

Rochdale MP, Simon Danczuk added: "The business awards are going from strength to strength; now in their fourth year they are brilliant at showcasing Rochdale's best businesses.

"I was delighted to attend and congratulations to all the winners."