A Bolton firm has been honoured for its work supporting apprentices.

The Apprenticeship, Training and Skills Award was handed down to Pure Companies Ltd, based on Bridge Street in Horwich, at this year’s Bolton News Business Awards.

It was handed out a ceremony held at the Bolton Whites Hotel, opened by council leader Nick Peel.

Cllr Peel said: “It is clear that Bolton is good for businesses and that Bolton means business.

“But as the leader of Bolton Council, I also know there are significant challenges facing our business sector, and I wanted to talk a little bit tonight about what we are doing to make Bolton an even better place for business. 

“As customer behaviours change, town centre retail is declining across the UK, and we know businesses of all kinds are feeling the impact this is having on the high-street.

“But we are not standing still while this happens. We know that we have to reimagine or repurpose our town centres.

“We are investing in regeneration across the borough and working with our partners to create the vibrant, exciting, and prosperous neighbourhoods that all businesses will benefit from.

“Anyone visiting the town centre recently will have noticed work is well underway to deliver a mix of new housing, modern offices, and improved public spaces.

“The Moor Lane and Central Street residential developments will bring thousands of new customers to the doorsteps of our town centre businesses.

“Meanwhile we continue to work with development partners to bring forward more urban villages at Church Wharf and Trinity Quarter.”

He added: “This regeneration work is backed by council strategies to create communities where people want to live, work, visit, study and invest in the local economy.

“We aim to build on our reputation as a host of world-class events and major cultural attractions like the Octagon Theatre, Bolton Museum, and the Albert Halls.”