Husband and wife rivalry battling it out at Red Rose Awards

There’s just OVER two weeks until the Red Rose Awards head to Blackpool and a Lancashire power couple will bring a fresh twist to this year’s event.

Tom Smith, founder of Blackpool’s Complete Online and Sarah Smith, owner of Lytham St Annes based Opulence Hairdressing, are the first husband‑and‑wife duo in the event’s 16‑year history to battle it out for the same category.

The awards are a celebration of county’s best businesses and organisations and winners will be announced on stage at a glittering, black tie ceremony held at the iconic Winter Gardens Blackpool on March 12.

Complete Online and Opulence Hairdressing are both in the running for the ‘Small Business’ award along with 24/7 Fire Security Protection, Darwen, Bid Writing Services, Chorley, Crozier Campers, Preston and Fresh Perspective Resourcing, Chorley.

Tom said: “It is very rare you get two entrepreneurs in the same household.

“It will be tense when they are waiting to read out the winner and may the best business win.”

Sarah said: “I have attended the awards a few times with Tom so it is nice to go and be up for an award.

“There is no better person to share going for the award with than Tom. He is my biggest supporter and I am his.”

Tom was delighted to be in the running for AI and Tech Innovation and Creative Business categories as well.

He said: “I always like doing the awards as it gives you a 360 view of what you are doing and what you can do better.

“It is nice to know that you are considered in the top six in three different categories and obviously to be recognised as finalists is a win for us.

“I am so proud of Sarah and when she rang me to say she was finalist she was buzzing. I know what a great business she has built and it is tough competition for us.

“If Sarah wins I will feel that it is a win for the family and hopefully we go away with another award so we don’t go home empty-handed.”

Sarah says it is great for her business to be a finalist.

She said: “We are a hair salon and been open for seven years and so much goes into running a business that people don’t always realise the work that goes in.

“I’ve put an awful lot of time into my team and making sure the team is secure to keep it going.

“It is nice that people pick you out and feel it is worthy of a being finalist.

Richard Slater, publisher of Lancashire Business View and founder of the Red Rose Awards, said: “It’s a fantastic first for the event and a brilliant reflection of Lancashire’s entrepreneurial spirit thriving under one roof.”

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, Harrison Drury, High Court Enforcement Group, Napthens, Pierce, PM+M, Porsche Preston and Bolton, Sowena Group, TSS Infrastructure, University of Lancashire and Warden Construction.  Menzies are dinner sponsors, Rosebud are judging partners, Skiddle are Runway and After-Party sponsors and Trident are Energy partners.

 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, and Viva. 

The charity partner is Lancashire and South Cumbria Hospices Together.