Deadline for Build Back Bolton Business Awards 2022 entries extended

The original date to submit entries for 12 awards was originally Monday, July 25.

However, in order to accommodate the number of businesses who have expressed an interest in entering, organisers have taken the decision to extend the deadline to 9am on Friday, August 5.

This year’s awards will be held at the Premier Suite, Bolton Stadium Hotel, at the University of Bolton Stadium on Thursday, September 22.

The headline sponsors are Bolton Council and the University of Bolton and a whole host of businesses have sponsored individual awards.

Below, you will find further information on each award and how to enter.

How to enter the Build Back Bolton Business Awards 2022

To express your interest in entering or to find out more information, send an email to Richard Duggan, Editor of The Bolton News, richard.duggan@newsquest.co.uk. 

Email boltonbusinesswards@newsquest.co.uk if you would like to enquire to be a category sponsor or to book a table for your business at this prestigious event.

Company of the Year ​- Sponsored by MBDA Missile Systems 

The award recognises outstanding performance by a highly successful Bolton business throughout 2021. The company must have a turnover of £5 million-plus a year. The judges are looking for businesses that have that something special, are admired throughout the Bolton business community and from which other businesses can all learn.  

They will need to demonstrate excellence in customer service, have achieved a strong or growing market share, used innovative approaches, potentially digressed into new markets through the pandemic and re-aligned the business to ensure survival in a highly competitive market.​ 

SME Business of the Year - Sponsored by Franking Sense 

A company or enterprise (up to 20 employees) which has made an indelible impression in the business world. It could be a firm with just two or three employees or many more as long as it is considered small for the particular field in which it operates and turnover between £500,000 and £5 million.  Innovation, expertise and imagination are just some of the qualities that will help firms qualify for this award.​ The winner might be in the service sector, retail or any kind of business which is small now but has big ideas.​ 

The Apprenticeships, Training & Skills Award​ - Sponsored by Stateside Foods 

This award recognises businesses that have implemented a successful apprentice, training or skills programme as an integral part of developing their workforce and providing opportunities for the younger generation in the area.  

Judges will be looking for an ongoing commitment to skills and training, examples of how the training or apprentice scheme is used to develop the workforce, evidence of the benefits apprentices and trainees bring to their business, and for businesses that are taking a leading role in improving skills levels in the region.​ 

Heart of the Community Award ​- Sponsored by Bolton Wanderers Football Club 

This award celebrates excellence in corporate, social and ethical activity, and seeks to identify those organisations which best exemplify the social and community spirit which is at the core of Bolton’s culture.  

The judges will pay particular attention to evidence of contribution to the overall well-being of the community, its environment and general quality of life. They will also look for projects that can demonstrate working in partnership with their local neighbours and community, projects which contribute to the economic regeneration of the region and using positive influence to support suppliers and other partners to adopt the best environmental, workplace and community practice. 

Innovation Award​ - Sponsored by Peel L&P

This award identifies and rewards companies which have launched the most innovative new product/service or who may have built or embraced new technology to drive their company forward in the calendar year 2021.  

Judges will consider all aspects of an innovative new product/service, its USP, the potential for growth/competition and profitability. They’ll also be looking for companies building fantastic digital products and services or broader companies that have deployed digital solutions to overcome significant business challenges.​

Digital/E-Commerce Business of the Year Award​  

This award is for businesses that have the resilience required for the fast-paced nature of doing business online. The award will go to the business that has delivered an outstanding online customer journey, showing responsiveness to customers’ needs, with the business results and growth to match.  

Judges will be looking for businesses that have used digital innovation and e-commerce to achieve growth, exceptional customer experience and increased financial performance. 

Well-being Award​ - Sponsored by Russell and Russell Solicitors

This award seeks to recognise and champion the incredible steps taken by those businesses that are creating an environment for their employees to succeed. These businesses will be able to demonstrate their commitment to the health and well-being of their workforce.  

Judges will be looking for those businesses that have developed and implemented an effective, holistic strategy which has had a proven and significant positive impact on the well-being of its workforce.​  

Environmental/Sustainability Award - Sponsored by Toughsheet Building Products​  

This award is designed to recognise the most ethical, socially responsible or green business. Open to any small business which has helped to drive environmental improvements across their business and/or the wider green economy. 

Judges will be looking for businesses that can highlight their main sustainability achievements, demonstrate how they have made an invaluable contribution to their business, and showcase how they are helping to drive wider progress in the green economy as a whole.​ 

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award - Sponsored by Diamond North West

This award is for entrepreneurs aged 30 or under who have demonstrated the traits to achieve a level of business success that belies their age. Judges will be looking for young entrepreneurs that have seized the opportunity to establish their own business and are passionate about progress. This entrepreneur will be a beacon of inspiration to business people irrespective of age and industry.​ 

Editor’s Award​ 

A special award to recognise a person who has made an outstanding contribution to a business and who has been prominent in the community. A well-respected and a proud advocate of Bolton and its business community.​ The winner of this award will be carefully chosen by Richard Duggan, Editor of The Bolton News.​ 

Best Customer Service Award (public vote)​  - Sponsored by Vertu Motors

Customer service is an ongoing process. The winning business will ensure it exceeds customers' expectations before, during and after any sale, building long-term customer relationships and providing a service that is consistently outstanding.​ 

Business Hero Award (public vote) - Sponsored by Bolton at Home 

​This category is open to a business or business person who have gone above and beyond in the face of adversity. Our judges will be looking to see what they have done to support a local or national cause.​