Car group's

excellence THE 1999 Bolton and Bury Business Awards are to be sponsored by North-west car sales group Smith Knight Fay. Mr Graham Knight, founder and Chairman of the Hyde-based company, said: "Bolton and Bury has a vibrant, entrepreneurial commercial community and we're proud to be a part of it. "As a business operating eight retail car franchises in the area we are keenly aware of how important it is to encourage excellence - that is the path to consistent achievement in an increasingly competitive environment."

Smith Knight Fay bought the former McMillan's of Bolton VW-Audi dealership from receivers five years ago and rapidly turned it into profit.

In September the company split the business into two, giving the Audi brand its own £1.6 million showroom in Morris Street, off St Peter's Way.

The showroom was transformed into an exclusive banqueting hall for an inaugural gala dinner attended by 250 guests.

It is hoped that this will become an annual event in the Bolton and Bury business calendar.

Next year, as part of Smith Knight Fay's £7.5 million expansion programme, the group's nearby VW franchise is to be extensively refurbished at a cost of £750,000.

Mr Paul Davidson, Chief Executive of awards organisers Bolton Business Ventures, said today: "We are delighted to welcome Smith Knight Fay as our supporting sponsor and are very grateful for their contribution.

"The company clearly appreciates the significance of the scheme and how it helps promote best business practice."

The Business Awards - for Excellence and Achievement - will take place in May.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.