Red Rose Awards 2014 launched

Businesses across Lancashire are being called on to enter the Red Rose Awards, which will crown the best of the best of the county’s firms.

Last year’s event, which was organised by Lancashire Business View magazine, attracted an audience of more than 900 for the celebration at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

Last month it was announced that, for the first time, the awards would have joint headline sponsorship, with Forbes Solicitors reaffirming its support for the fourth year running, and Barclays joining for its first year.

Businesses have until January 17 to enter at www.redroseawards.co.uk.

At the launch event, held at Hoghton Tower, Richard Slater, publisher of Lancashire Business View said: “First and foremost the Red Rose Awards are about giving Lancashire business the opportunity to show how great it is; how deep its commercial excellence runs. We are giving business the chance to shout about what they do and why they are the best at it – and we hope they’ll grasp that opportunity with both hands by entering. There is at least one category applicable to every business in the county.

“We know the business community love participating in the awards – if you experience the Red Rose Awards either by entering, judging, sponsoring or attending on the night, we ask that you encourage your clients, suppliers and associates to enter!

“We are also proud to have our fantastic headline sponsors, Forbes Solicitors and Barclays, on board for 2014. These are blue-chip brands and their calibre says much about the esteem in which these awards are held.”

To see photographs from the launch event, visit our Flickr account.

John Barker, managing partner at Forbes, said: “The Red Rose Awards has certainly retained its triple A rating! It’s a privilege to be able to support an event which showcases the successes of so many businesses in the county.

“The quality and number of entries in the 2013 Red Rose Awards will take some beating but I would encourage any business who has something to shout about to enter.”

John Stanworth, Corporate Director at Barclays in Lancashire, commented: “This is a great opportunity for Barclays to continue to show its support of the business and professional community, particularly at a time when the economy is finally starting to turn a corner.

“Barclays is fully committed to supporting its clients and helping them to fulfil their growth potential. The Awards are a great platform to showcase success and show how businesses are innovating and investing to fuel their growth ambitions.”

Other sponsors confirmed to date include 2BR/The Bee, Abbey Telecom, Ascentis, Ashton Hoyle, BAE Systems, Burnley Borough Council, Hyndburn Business and Enterprise Trust, Cassons, Federation of Small Businesses, Fuse Fund, Laura Hartley Recruitment, Leonard Dews, Love To Brand, Mosaic Care Group, Napthens Solicitors, Peter Scott Printers, PM+M, Preston’s College, Superfast Lancashire, Via Training and WEC Group. To take part in the Red Rose Awards, visit www.redroseawards.co.uk. The closing date is January 17 2014 and the celebration will take place, once again at the Winter Gardens, on March 13.