A NEW-look evening is being planned for the dinner which forms the climax of the annual Bolton and Bury Business Awards competition. Organisers have decided to dispense with formal speakers when the popular awards for excellence and achievement are presented at the Reebok Stadium, Lostock on Friday, May 21. The dinner is expected to attract 350 to 400 people at £33 a head.

Presentations will be staggered during the evening to allow more time at the end for dancing and socialising.

It is expected that there will be a video sequence showing the shortlisted nominees and a souvenir booklet of the evening.

The closing date for entries in April 30, but Bolton Business Ventures are hoping that as many entrants as possible are able to submit their forms by the end of March to help with the organisation.

This year there are 12 different award categories and total prize money of £31,000.

BT is one of the category sponsors through BT Business Connections, the division which specialises in developing services for the small and medium enterprise sector.

The "Success Through E-Business Award, worth £2,000, will go to a local business which uses the internet-based technology to develop competitiveness and grow.

Jackie Roby, BT's Regional Business Manager, who will be one of the final judges, said: "E-business is the trading medium of the future and through BT's support of the Bolton and Bury Business Awards we aim to highlight the importance modern communications can play in improving bottom line performance."

Details of entries and tickets are available from Sylvia Philips, Bolton Business Ventures Ltd, 46 Lower Bridgeman Street, Bolton BL2 1DG. Tel: 01204 391400.

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