‘Amazing’ response to Oldham’s showcase 2014 awards event

NOMINATIONS for the sixth One Oldham Business Awards were nearing 100 when the deadline approached - and the organisers have agreed to extend the catchment for another week to give stragglers a last chance to enter.

Kash Ashraf, the group lead on nominations, said: “The response has been quite amazing. Because we had to bring forward the awards we were really unsure how we would fare, but with nearly 100 nominations across 10 categories there is once again great support.

“When we met last week to review the situation we decided that the time frame was short and that a few people were still putting together their entries. So we will accept online submissions up to the end of this week.”

One of the best-supported categories this year is the Business of the Year £5 million-plus turnover — the Blue Riband of the awards.

All 30 finalists will receive a pair of tickets for the gala dinner at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham, on Friday, March 20.

Once again there will be a VIP reception in the Mayor’s Parlour, a charity casino in aid of Dr Kershaw’s Hospice and entertainment.