JUDGES were so impressed by the transformation of Rawtenstall Market that the traders, and their lead Jane Boys, took top honours at the 10th Rossendale Business Awards. At the prestigious anniversary ceremony, held on Wednesday December 4th at The Riverside in Whitworth, the market, along with Jane, was named as the most inspirational business winning the Valley at Work Award – a unique cut glass bespoke trophy, created by Alexis Valentine from Walking on Glass.
Five traders from the revamped market were nominated for awards along with Jane and the Clog Market. The Card Hut was picked as finalist, Ivory Beau won the Creative Category and the stall is run by Jodie Bulling who was Highly Commended in the Enterprising Woman category won last year by Jane and the Clog Market was highly commended in Sole Trader.
Since taking over management of the market earlier this year, Jane has led a transformation with the removal of temporary structures opening up the outdoor space for pop-up stalls. The inside market has been brightened up by removing narrow dark corridors and attracting new traders. Artisan markets are held and the market now has a night-time use.
The awards are organised by Valley at Work, which connects and supports local businesses across Rossendale. Chair Rob Carder said: “The judging panel have seen the way the market has changed and the buzz it has created around that part of town. The redevelopment has been led by Jane, but without traders there is no market and looking at the whole redevelopment, it stood out as the most inspirational business and was a worthy winner of the top trophy.”
This year more nominations than ever before were received and The Riverside was packed.
Last year’s Invest in Rossendale business winner Anna’s Café-Bar won the Food and Drink trophy and 2018 Valley at Work Award and Large Business winner DT Law Butcher this year scooped the Independent Retailer title.
Charity M3 Project, which provides accommodation for single homeless and young families aged 16-21 who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless retained the keenly contested category of Not for Profit.
Scooping two titles was Bacup company Orphoplastics who won the Business of the Year and Employer titles.
Rob added: “When the first Valley at Work business awards was held it was a much smaller event with a handful of awards, no trophies just certificates and a very small audience. Now we fill The Riverside and there is no larger venue. Thank you to everyone who makes this event special – the nominees, the finalists, the sponsors and the local businesses. Here’s to the next 10 years.”
2019 Winners
Valley at Work Award
Winner: Rawtenstall Market and Jane Boys
Accessible Business sponsored by Ayesha Communications
Winner: Dansworks Dance Academy of Performing Arts CIC
Highly Commended: Horse & Bamboo Theatre
Business of The Year sponsored by Valley at Work
Winner: Orthoplastics Limited
Creative Business sponsored by GrowTraffic Ltd
Winner: Ivory Beau
Employer of The Year sponsored by Metis HR Ltd
Winner: Orthoplastics Limited
Enterprising Woman sponsored by Dawn Rose Contemporary Jewellery & Accessories
Winner: Ayesha Gavin
Highly Commended: Jodie Bulling
Enterprising Young Person sponsored by Rossendale High Schools
Winners: Charlotte Clements, Rebecca Ormerod and Ellie Avery
Highly Commended: Eve O’Riordan
Food and Drink Business sponsored by Mission Labs
Winner: Anna’s Café-Bar
Independent Retailer sponsored by Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce
Winner: D T LAW BUTCHERS
Invest In Rossendale sponsored by Rossendale Borough Council
Winner: Lucardo Rawtenstall Escape Games
MicroBusiness sponsored by Business Over Breakfast NW
Winner: Michelle Procter Independent Financial Services
Highly Commended: Dawn Rose Contemporary Jewellery & Accessories and The Nowt Poncy Food Company Ltd
Not for Profit sponsored by Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall
Winner: M3 Project Ltd
Part Time Business sponsored by Winter Solicitors
Winner: Liz Henson Photography
Service Business sponsored by Tricketts Insurance Brokers
Winner: Rossendale Leisure Trust
Sole Trader sponsored by Chic Boutique Travel
Winner: Alan Rhodes Dry Stone Walling
Highly Commended: Quality For Life Fitness and THE CLOG MARKET / RAWTENSTALL MARKET
Visit Rossendale sponsored by Rossendale Borough Council
Winner: Cronkshaw Fold Farm
Rossendale Free Press Award
Rossendale Hospice Business Challenge
Winner: Make! Ceramic Studio
Story by Catherine Smyth Media
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