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Lancashire
Friday, December 13, 2024

Rossendale Business Awards winners announced

When a Haslingden butcher was announced as the most innovative business he received a standing ovation from the borough’s Mayor.

Councillor Ann Kenyon, and the rest of the audience at the ninth Rossendale Business Awards, applauded Darren Law of DT Law butchers for his innovation and ambition.

At a packed function hall at The Riverside, Whitworth, Darren was awarded the top Valley at Work Award, a beautiful glass trophy engraved by Alexis Valentine of Walking on Glass with scenes depicting The Boo to celebrate the Horse and Bamboo Theatre’s 40th anniversary.

More than 200 businesses, sponsors and supporters were in attendance.

Darren dedicated his win to his late father and said: “I am so proud. My dad would be so proud too if he was still here. He loaned me the money in the first place to buy his shop in Blackburn Road; I also paid him back.”

The business, which has expanded into a bakery and deli and has an online service, serves 2,500 customers a week.

He said: “I have no idea who nominated us and I found it hard to really tell my story on the application form. I come from council estate in Bacup with nothing and I have worked my way up.

“I have always wanted to work by myself and progress in life and you get to a certain point and think let’s go to the next league.”

That next league involved buying next door, knocking through and expanding the business. He not only won the top award, he also netted the Business of the Year trophy for companies employing more than 11 staff.

He is now planning to celebrate the success by refurbishing the shop and his collection of trophies will be back on display at The Riverside when he has a stall at the Christmas Fair.

It was an evening of celebration and a cheer went up when Anna’s Café Bar, in Weir, won the Invest In Rossendale title.

Anna Preece took to bold decision to invest in an empty shop and provide a hub that the whole community has embraced.

Whitworth Mayor Madeline de Souza said: “We all know Rossendale is a lovely place to live, work and visit. We have towns and villages and a community second to none.

“We have niche businesses and not for profit organisations that contribute an enormously to the Valley and a thriving Valley means thriving businesses.”

Describing the event as fantastic Rossendale’s Mayor Coun Kenyon urged everyone to do more to encourage enterprise in young people.

The awards are organised by Valley at Work and Chair Rob Carder said this year’s had the highest number of nominations.

He told the audience: “There are 2,600 businesses in Rossendale and 118 were nominated, more than 40 were selected as finalists and that means you are among the top two percent.”

This year the Rossendale Free Press award for corporate social responsibility was linked with the Rossendale Hospice Business Challenge.

Businesses were given £50 and asked to make it grow, using their skills. The money raised by the six participating businesses, along with a raffle on the awards night, raised nearly £6,000 for Rossendale Hospice.

Half-time entertainment was provided by young members of Dansworks Dance Academy in Bacup.

Full list of winners:

Valley at Work Award

Winner: D T LAW BUTCHERS

Accessible Business sponsored by Ayesha Communications

Winner: The Old Library Waterfoot CIC

Apprenticeship sponsored by Accrington & Rossendale College

Winner: Arthouse Ltd

Highly Commended: HEADMASTERS LANCASHIRE

 

Business of The Year (5-10 Employees) sponsored by Cassons Chartered Accountants

Winner: GrowTraffic Ltd

Business of The Year (11+ Employees) sponsored by Cassons Chartered Accountants

Winner: D T LAW BUTCHERS

Creative Business sponsored by GrowTraffic

Winner: Deni-Deni

Employer of The Year sponsored by Metis HR

Winner: HEADMASTERS LANCASHIRE

Highly Commended: Orthoplastics Limited

Enterprising Woman sponsored by Dawn Rose Contemporary Jewellery & Accessories

Winner: Jane Boys

Enterprising Young Person sponsored by Rossendale High Schools

Winner: Grace Bradshaw (Alder Grange)

Food and Drink Business sponsored by Valley at Work

Winner: A’Vucciria

Highly Commended: Northern Whisper Brewing Co Ltd

Independent Retailer sponsored by Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce

Winner: Ruby & Daisy

Highly Commended: D T LAW BUTCHERS

Invest In Rossendale sponsored by Invest in Rossendale

Winner: Anna’s Café-Bar

Highly Commended: The Old Library Waterfoot CIC

MicroBusiness sponsored by Melbec Microbiology

Winner: Pinnacle Stonemasonry Ltd

Highly Commended: Deni-Deni

 

Not for Profit sponsored by Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall

Winner: M3 Project Ltd

Part Time Business sponsored by Winter Solicitors

Winner: Mini Me Time

Rossendale Free Press Award Business Challenge in association with Rossendale Hospice

Snapper & Hack – Liz Henson Photography and Catherine Smyth Media

Service Business sponsored by Tricketts Insurance Brokers

Winner: Bright & Beautiful

Sole Trader sponsored by Chic Boutique Travel

Winner: Olly’s Woodland Learning

Highly Commended: Catherine Smyth Media

Visit Rossendale sponsored by Visit Rossendale

Winner: The Whitaker Museum, Art Gallery + Cultural Hub

Highly Commended: Lucardo Rawtenstall escape games

 

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