Blackburn and Darwen Business Awards finalists announced

Businesses across Blackburn and Darwen are celebrating after being shortlisted as finalists in the inaugural Hive Blackburn and Darwen Business Awards.

Finalists will now face an interview and presentation stage with judges made up of sponsors, business leaders and independent experts. The dedicated judging day will take place on April 15 at the Red Rose Suite at Blackburn Rovers Football Club.

Khalid Saifullah, chairman of the Hive Network and Director of local manufacturing firm Star Tissue UK, comments: “The response to the awards has been great and we’re looking forward to meeting the shortlisted businesses at the interview stage.

Headline sponsors of the Hive Blackburn and Darwen Business Awards are Blackburn College and Capita. The awards are also supported by Bowker Motor Group, Business and Enterprise Trust, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Forbes Solicitors, Heritage Envelopes, Napthens Solicitors, Pierce, Precision Polymer Engineering (PPE), Ronset and Taheedul Eudcation Trust. Media partners are The Bee FM, Square Cactus, Lancashire Business View and BBC Radio Lancashire.

The Bright Spark Award• Blackburn Alarms, Daniel Devitt • Chase Templeton, Lynsey Doran • Twist Event Catering, Megan Gallacher • WEC Group, James Pickles

The Enterprise in Education Award• Blackburn College • Darwen Aldridge Community Academy • Training 2000 • Westholme School

The High Growth Award• Access Ability CIC • AMT Lawyers • Lance Mason • Northern Industrial

The Investing in the Future Award• Lance Mason • Northern Industrial • Twin Valley Homes • WEC Group

The Newcomer Award• Access Ability CIC • Praetura Asset Finance • Prefix Systems • Pure Star CleaningThe Young Entrepreneur Award• Blackburn Alarms • Chocolat By Daniel Coletta • Contrado Digital • Duffin's Estate Agents