Get your entries in to try to join the Red Rose Awards party

Rich Dyer, co-founder of former Red Rose Awards winner Skiddle, is urging Lancashire businesses to get their entries in for the 2026 awards to try to join them for a ‘great night’ in Blackpool.

The Longridge-based ticketing platform has been named as the ‘Runway’ and ‘After Party’ sponsor for the event.

The Red Rose Awards is the biggest celebration of business across the county and is being held at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on March 12.

There’s less than three weeks to submit your entry for the awards.

With 24 categories to enter, Rich says there are lots of opportunities for businesses to talk about their success and the deadline for entries is December 5.

He said: “It feels like there's something for everyone with the Red Rose Awards.

“We entered as a Medium Business and also the Corporate Responsibility and Customer Care categories too.

“You might have done some excellent customer service, you might do outstanding charitable work or you might just have a great story to tell.

“The Red Rose Awards is a great night and a true celebration of Lancashire business.

“It is a really good place for businesses to share those stories.”

Skiddle won ‘Online Business of the Year’ in 2012 and the ‘Corporate Social Responsibility Award’ in 2019.

But in 2026 it has an extra reason to celebrate.

Rich said: “It is Skiddle’s 25th birthday next year and we are a big player in Lancashire business.

“A lot of people might not realise that we are based in Longridge and have a big online offering.

“It started in 2001 as a bit of a hobby but has turned into a business with 100 staff.

“We want to celebrate and highlight our legacy in the county.

“That’s why we are supporting the Red Rose Awards by sponsoring the ‘After-Party’ and ‘Runway’.”

One of the highlights of the night is the Runway as winners could lap up the applause on their way to pick up their award.

Rich said: “The Runway is a great addition to the Red Rose Awards.

“Seeing people walk along it on their way to collecting an award is perfectly aligned to what Skiddle does.

“We’re a ticketing website and we've been getting our customers to see people on stages for a long time.

“We're also sponsoring the After Party and that's what we've been doing all these years is selling tickets and getting involved with people's parties.”

The headline sponsors this year are Forbes Solicitors and Barclays, while category sponsors include: BAE Systems (Operations), Brabners, Brysdales, Chorley Borough Council, D&M Creative, Farleys Solicitors, Forbes, Harrison Drury, High Court Enforcement Group, Napthens, Pierce, PM+M, Porsche Preston and Bolton, Skiddle, Sowena Group, TSS Infrastructure, University of Lancashire and Warden Construction. 

The Red Rose Awards supporters and partners include RBC Brewin Dolphin, Bigtank, Burnley FC, Community Foundation for Lancashire, Marketing Lancashire, Merchandise4impact, Park Hall Hotel, PDS Engineering, Peter Scott Printers, RSM, Sales Geek Lancashire, Shout Connect, The Fun Experts, The Royal Dyche, Trident and Viva. 

The charity partner is Lancashire and South Cumbria Hospices Together.

Don’t leave it too late to get your award entry in as the deadline for nominations is midnight on December 5.

You can enter the award by checking out www.redroseawards.co.uk/enter-an-award.