Pendle Business Awards launches Friday

Businesses can soon enter this year’s Pendle Business Awards, with the online application form live from Friday January 10th until Friday 21st February.

There are 10 categories to choose from,  covering one-man bands with a local specialist trade; growing small to medium-sized businesses and large companies with worldwide reputations.

Simon Mellin, co-owner of Roaming Roosters, won Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012, and will be helping to judge entries. Simon, 27, and his brother Nick, 25, set up Roaming Roosters at the end of 2009 and their business is one of Pendle’s great success stories.

Last year the company grew in turnover 15 times and it’s expected to grow another four times again this year.

“It all started when my brother, then a butcher at my dad’s shop in Every Street in Nelson, noticed an increasing demand for free range chickens from customers,” explained Simon.

“We started selling them at farmers’ markets and then decided to set up the first Roaming Roosters’ website to sell them online.”

Chicken soon expanded to beef, pork and lamb due to popular demand, particularly from Southern based customers looking for quality meat at reasonable prices.

Keen to maximise sales in their own area, Simon and Nick went on to open a farm shop and bistro in September 2012, a move which took the business to a whole new level.

Describing how they feel their business is going, Simon added: “Both myself and Nick believe 100% in the brand and what it stands for. We just thought we may have a way to go in convincing others the same – but that hasn’t been the case.

“Customers from the area, as well as UK wide, have really embraced the Roosters’ way, which is a great reward because we’re so passionate about what we do.

“When we first started out there were two members of staff – me and Nick – now we have 52!

“The hardest part of running a fast expanding business like ours is making sure that everyone who works for us understands our brand values and shares our passion for sustainable food. This is so important to us.”

Since winning a Pendle Business Award, Roaming Roosters has won five other regional awards and a national one.

These include two Red Rose awards, E3 Business Awards and the Future 50 Awards. They’re also included in the Growing Business Young Guns Class of 2013.

The business was also a finalist in the National Business Awards for its High Growth.

Simon is now regularly asked to attend conferences to talk about Roaming Roosters as it’s a nationally recognised brand within the real food community.

Simon added: “I was really proud to be asked to judge in Pendle Business Awards 2014. It’s fantastic to have something like this in Pendle which recognises what businesses are doing locally. I’d encourage all businesses to apply. Entering is really straightforward and winning the award certainly helps to secure your place in the area as a successful business.”

Pendle Council and Pendle Vision is again jointly organising Pendle Business Awards 2014.

Councillor Joe Cooney, Leader of Pendle Council, said: “It’s really great to see how much a new company has flourished. They spotted a gap in the market and have now got a very local customer base all over the country. We wish them every success in the future.” http://www.pendle.gov.uk/businessawards