THE Bolton and Bury Business Awards are just around the corner — and THE countdown is one — to crown the top Bolton and Bury businesses for 2014.

The popular Bolton and Bury Business Awards are in their ninth year and although being held a little later this year — we have moved from June to September because of the World Cup — we are still planning a fantastic night.

There are nine awards this year, ranging from Start Up Business to Business Person of the Year.

And again the entries have been extremely strong in all categories.

The judges had a hard task to whittle the applications down to the shortlisted three finalists in each section, which are all featured in this special supplement.

And at the Bolton Whites on Thursday, September 11, after a delicious diner, the winners will be announced in front of hundreds of guests.

The evening as usual, kicks off with a drinks reception, followed by a warm welcome from Ian Savage, the group editor of the Bolton News and Bury Times group. There will also be words from the two headline sponsors, Bolton Council and the University of bolton.

Then it is dinner followed by the awards. As we are always keen to encourage the young businessmen and women of the future, we will be hearing from apprentice Bekki Davis, from missile company MBDA, which has a great track record for its apprenticeship programme.

The awards will be in the capable hands of host for the night, Norman Prince who will be announcing the winners.

Before the final award of the evening, the Business of the Year, there will be the Special Achievement Award which is presented to a person who has made a difference in Bolton and Bury, and it is always a surprise to the recipient.

As always there will be a charity raffle during the evening. This year it will be for Bolton’s Fortalice women’s refuge.

The finalists:

Start up Business of the Year 

  • Clever IT 
  • Hilton Smythe Commercial (UK) Ltd 
  • Red Bank Cider 

Young Person/Apprentice of the Year
(sponsored by MBDA) 

  • Chloe Louise Ramsden, Alliance Learning Ltd 
  • Rhiannon Hayes, Eventura Ltd 
  • Stephanie Thompson, Bolton College 

We’re Backing Bolton/Bury Award 
(sponsored by Carrs Pasties)

  • Asons Solicitors 
  • Bolton Fm CIC 
  • The East Lancashire Light Railway Company 

SME Award 
(sponsored by Santander) 

  • Assembly Solutions Ltd 
  • Bri-Tek Technologies Ltd 
  • Trojan Utilities Ltd 
  • Community Award 
  • Bolton College (NLDC) 
  • Fortalice Ltd 
  • Solutions Contractors Ltd 

Family Business Award 
(sponsored by Warings)

  • BHE Services (Bolton) Ltd 
  • Asons Solicitors 
  • Assembly Solutions Ltd 
  • Customer Excellence Award 
  • Comply at Work Ltd 
  • Delicious at the Fusiliers 
  • Love Energy Savings 

Business Person of the Year 
(sponsored by Maxim Industries)

  • Celia Gaze, The Wellbeing Farm Ltd 
  • Chris Houghton, Eventura Ltd 
  • Dr Zuber Bagasi Synergy Dental Clinic 

Business of the Year 
(sponsored by Stateside Food)

  • Forrest 
  • Hardscape Products Ltd 
  • NetGiant Ltd