REVEALED: Red Rose Awards winners 2026

The winners of the 2026 Red Rose Awards were revealed at Lancashire's biggest celebration of business excellence hosted by Lancashire Business View at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.

The event, honouring the county’s best businesses, was attended by more than 1,000 members of the Lancashire business community.

VARS Technology were the big winners on the night by taking home two awards in the AI and Tech Innovation and Medium Business categories.

The Blackpool based business delivers cutting-edge security and management solutions to prevent losses from petrol forecourts.

Darwen based Multevo lifted the prestigious Lancashire Business View award - which is selected by the organisers across all of the categories.

It specialises in highways and traffic management and offers specialist plant and commercial truck and van servicing.

Also celebrating was the team from Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses who picked up the Transformation award three years after a devastating fire at its Longridge office in November 2023.

Since launching in 2011, the Red Rose Awards has become the county’s favourite awards event, honouring organisations of all sizes and sectors.

In total 25 awards were handed out across the night, recognising achievements such as customer service, community impact and - new for 2026 - AI and Tech Innovation, Creative and Deal of the Year categories.

To win an award, entrants first passed a verification stage led by RSM, the global audit and tax firm, before putting their best case forward to a panel of independent judges in a process backed by Rosebud, the Lancashire County Council backed initiative to provide tailored loans and support.

The Red Rose Awards were once again supported by Forbes Solicitors, headline sponsor every year since the awards were launched in 2011, and Barclays, headline sponsor for more than a decade.

Joanne Hindley, sales director of Lancashire Business View, said: “The Red Rose Awards always bring out the very best of our county, and tonight was no exception.

“What stands out for me every year is how supportive and collaborative Lancashire businesses are.

“The winners we’ve celebrated tonight aren’t just doing great work themselves - they’re helping others succeed too. That’s what makes this community so special.”

Pauline Wild, managing partner at headline partner Forbes, said: “The Red Rose Awards is a fantastic event for celebrating what’s great about business in Lancashire.

“The county has always been a place where businesses make things happen and move forward despite the challenges they face.

“Being a finalist is a remarkable achievement and Lancashire businesses don’t always shout the loudest about their achievements but some of the best businesses in the country are in this room and have been built here.”

Paul Nicholls, relationship director at Barclays, said: “The Red Rose Awards celebrates the very best of Lancashire businesses and for me it is the way we do business in the county that sets us apart.

"We do it with passion, persistence and real determination.

"Businesses of Lancashire have overcome all obstacles and shown passion for the people, community and the environment."

The headline sponsors this year were 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, Rosebud, Sowena Group, TSS Infrastructure, University of Lancashire and Warden Construction. Menzies were dinner sponsors, Skiddle were Runway and After-Party sponsors and Trident were Energy partners.

The Red Rose Awards supporters and partners included 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 event also raised funds for the Lancashire and South Cumbria Hospices Together who help people throughout the county.

A full write-up of the awards will be published on www.lancashirebusinessview.co.uk and featured in the May/June edition of Lancashire Business View.

WINNERS:

Built Environment

Barnfield Construction

Design

Hurst Green Plastics

Creative Business Award

Complete Online

Professional Services

Fresh Perspective Resourcing

Export