Story by Catherine Smyth; Photograph by Liz Henson Photography
BUSINESSES delighted in being able to celebrate their survival as the 12th Rossendale Business Awards was held in person at The Ashcroft in Whitworth.
The main hall was filled with finalists, sponsors and dignitaries and welcoming everyone the Mayor of Whitworth Councillor Maureen Jones said: “It is great to see a houseful after so many dark days.” Deputy Mayor of Rossendale Councillor Anne Cheetham praised the way business had kept afloat and the support that had been offered to them throughout the pandemic. She added: “I think it is absolutely tremendous to see such a cross-section of age groups up for the awards.”
Scooping the top Valley At Work trophy for the most inspirational business, proved emotional for Dale Connearn, Business Manager of Dansworks Dance Academy of Performing Arts CIC in Bacup. The company had been named as a finalist in three categories, but to be picked to win the unique engraved trophy came as a shock.
Principal Karen Roe (Connearn) said: “I am speechless. The last year has been incredibly difficult. When we heard about what some of the businesses had achieved throughout the pandemic, we were so pleased to have been named as a finalist. We never thought we would win. When we finally got back into the studio, it was really different and the children didn’t know how to react, the classes were silent and it just felt strange. Now they realise they can go in a little bit early and they are congregating in small groups and the children are mixing again.” Dancers from Dansworks also provided entertainment during the interval.
The awards are organised by Valley at Work and this year was the last for chair Rob Carder and his wife Val as they have decided to retire from April.
Solicitor Ruth Winter, who will be taking over as chair, made a special presentation to them both of an engraved pen and flowers. MC for the evening was marketing guru Tracy Heatley, who was the first licensee of Business over Breakfast networking clubs, while Rossendale Radio broadcast live announcing and interviewing winners over the airwaves. For the third year, Lucardo Rawtenstall Escape Rooms picked up an R-Awards trophy. It was the attraction’s second Visit Rossendale award to add to the Invest in Rossendale title won in 2019. Director Simon Milnes said: “I am elated to have received this award especially as over the last 12 months the business was closed for three-quarters of the time, but the support we have had from the community has been phenomenal and we are now opening a new room. During lockdown, we went online and we played more than 300 escape room games by us wearing a headset and people directing us to solve clues.”
Another winner was Liz Hall, of Liz Henson Photography, Stacksteads, who two years ago won the part-time business category and in 2021 is full-time and won the Sole Trader trophy. She said: “I am pleased to have won. It has been a difficult time with Covid, a lot of my work just ended and stopped still, but people are still investing in marketing and I want to thank everyone for their support.”
RAwards 2021: Results
Valley at Work Award
Winner: Dansworks Dance Academy
Highly Commended Casked Ale House & Ginporium
Part-Time Business
sponsored by Winter Solicitors
Winner: Quality Time PA Services
Sole Trader
sponsored by Rossendale Free Press
Winner: Liz Henson Photography
Highly Commended: Spexbox
MicroBusiness
sponsored by Business Over Breakfast (North West) Ltd
Winner: Dearden Wood
Small Business
sponsored by Coaty Developments Limited
Winner: Cowpe Electrical Services Ltd
Made in Rossendale
sponsored by The Boo Theatre
Winner: Foremost Furniture Limited
Large Business
sponsored by Metis HR Ltd
Winner: Interfloor Limited
Invest in Rossendale
sponsored by Rossendale Borough Council
Winner: Framex Ltd
Highly Commended: Coffee Bagel Ltd
Highly Commended: Grow You, Grow Your Business
Hospitality Business
sponsored by Finlay Jude Associates Ltd
Winner: Casked Ale House & Ginporium
Enterprising Person
sponsored by Dawn Rose Contemporary Jewellery & Accessories
Winner: John Lord (SimTrainer UK)
Independent Retailer
sponsored by Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce
Winner: The Soap Shack
Creative Business
sponsored by GrowTraffic Ltd
Winner: Brush & Pencil
Highly Commended: Scrap Local Ltd
Not for Profit
sponsored by Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall
Winner: Rossendale Hospice
Service Business
sponsored by Tricketts Insurance Brokers
Winner: Milcare Ltd
Winner: Scrap Local Ltd
Visit Rossendale Award
sponsored by Rossendale Borough Council
Winner: Lucardo Rawtenstall Escape rooms
Workforce Development
sponsored by Nelson & Colne College Group
Winner: Interfloor Limited
Medium Business
sponsored by Metis HR Ltd
Winner: Hazelwood Homecare Ltd
Enterprising Young Person
sponsored by Rossendale’s High Schools
Winner: Eromi Navaratnam (Alder Grange)
Highly Commended: Sara Mir (BRGS)
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