It’s the BIG one

JUDGING of the first-ever Oldham Business Awards has begun - and the judging panels face a mammoth task.

When the deadline for entries closed last week there were more than 70 entries for the eight categories, with the cream of Oldham’s business and commercial sectors seeking recognition from their peers. Judging panels have already been convened and, in some cases, the trios face not only tricky decisions but hours of work. The Business of the Year has 21 entries.

Tickets are now on sale for the gala presentation evening at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on Friday April 3 when the winners will be revealed in front of an audience of more than 400 people from the borough’s business community.

A spectacular evening of fun and cabaret, plus a five-course meal, will encompass the Oscars-style presentation on the biggest evening the business people of Oldham have seen for 20 years.




Business of the Year — sponsored by RBS Commercial

Criteria



The premier award. The winning business will have a turnover in excess of £1 million and be able to demonstrate outstanding leadership and vision and a successful performance against it objectives.



The judges are looking for evidence of exceptional growth and/or increased trading profit, success in finding new import/export opportunities, new product/service development and/or new production techniques.




Entries



ACE Training Solutions, Prospect House, George Street, Oldham — effective training on all levels of health and safety, offering courses to approved standards, including CITB, IOSH, SPA, PASMA, City and Guilds.

Another Level Car Parks, Tweedale Way, Oldham —pioneers of portable, multi-storey car parks, the company invented, designed and developed the concept of a portable structure that simply sits over an existing car park nearly doubling capacity.

Contained Air Solutions Ltd., Unit 4, Greengate, Middleton Junction — specialist suppliers of microbiological safety cabinets, isolators and associated clean air products for the pharmaceutical industry, research, defence, education and healthcare sectors.

Dave Luck Ltd., Units Two and Three, Parkside Industrial Estate, Royton — a leading painting and decorating contractor specialising in industrial, commercial and domestic contracts.

DTEC Electrical Ltd., Unit Two, Whitegate Business Centre, Jardine way, Chadderton — an electrical contracting company with more than 30 years trading, undertaking projects throughout northern England as well as providing a national telecoms installation service.

Emanuel Whittaker Ltd., 400 Rochdale Road Oldham — more 160 years building a reputation for the highest standards in the manufacture and fixing of specialist joinery, carrying out work for clients nationwide.

Interface Contracts Ltd., Pennine House, Chadd-erton — a comprehensive design, installation and site supervision service to industrial and commercial sectors.

JD Williams Group, Lilac and Briar Mills, Linney Lane, Shaw — home shopping arm of N Brown Group plc, this entry is based on the warehousing and distribution site at Shaw.

Lift Safe Ltd., Unit F, Prince of Wales Business Park, Oldham — specialists in the supply of standard and bespoke materials handling, storage and lifting equipment for all industries ranging.

Mortgage Quest, Union Street, Oldham — specialists in the provision of Halal and Islamic mortgages, home insurance, constant cover, injury, life and general insurance.

Pearson Hinchliffe (Commercial Law), Hollinwood Business Centre, Albert Street, Hollinwood — In November, 2007, the ‘Pear-son Hinchliffe Comm-ercial Law’ brand was established to develop a well-regarded and successful 18-strong commercial team. The firm can trace its roots to the 1870s.

Prithiraj Restaurant Ltd., Unit 4, Windsor Works Oldham — a new dining experience offering a rejuvenated Indian cuisine.

Roger Hannah and Co., 51 Union Street Oldham —chartered surveyors, valuers, industrial and commercial property agents.

Ripple Developments Ltd., Greenacres Road, Oldham — design, engineering and installation of retail display solution plus bespoke shopfitting and interior environments.

Secure Options Group, Lane End Works, Royton — established in 1990, early success was driven by innovation in pioneering electronic security solutions.

Servicecare Support Services Ltd., Manchester Road, Oldham — more than 20 years experience providing integrated support solutions to multimedia manufacturers of IT and consumer electronic products, multi-channel retailers and service companies.

Thorp Whyman Briggs, Hollinwood Business Centre, Albert Street, Hollinwood — architectural design and project management, responsible for many of Oldham’s landmark buildings.

Travis Hughes Ltd., 37 Yorkshire Street Oldham — professional agency set up in 2006 to supply the Oldham labour market with people from the immediate locale.

W and D Greenwood & Sons Ltd., 103 Vulcan Street, Oldham — bakers, retail bakery units with coffee shops, wholesale deliveries and outside catering.

Westshield Ltd., Waldron House, Drury Lane, Chadderton — specialist divisions executing a range of civil engineering/ construction projects.

Widdop Bingham and Co. Ltd., Broadgate, Chadd-erton — leading importer of clocks and giftware in the UK, featuring the Juliana gift and Wm. Widdop clock collections and a portfolio which includes figurines, photo frames, water features, clocks, occasional furniture, lighting and more to trade only.




Retailer of the Year

- Sponsored by Town Centre Partnership

Criteria



The judges are looking for a business in any retail sector that has shown it can differentiate itself from its competition in order to successfully attract and sell to its customers.



In addition to sales and profit growth, the winner will display creativeness around its shop presentation/layout and product offering. Evidence of outstanding levels of customer service will feature highly in the judges’ assessment.




Entries



Albion Farm Shop, Oldham Road, Delph — a tenant family farmer based at Wood Farm offering meat and dairy products sourced locally.

Alderwood Chocolate Deli, 17b Court Street, Uppermill — a range of award-winning organic and fair trade chocolate products.

Café Lahore Ltd., 145 Union Street, Oldham — a retro dining experience with cooking from the Punjab from an open kitchen.

Charles Howell Jeweller, 2 Lord Street, Oldham — family business established in 1970s selling modern, traditional and antique jewellery.

Demolition, 28 -30 Yorkshire Street, Oldham — providing designer fashion for men and women from the leading clothing brands.

Millers Florist, 102A Huddersfield Road, Oldham —102A Huddersfield Road, Oldham — Interflora member and authorised Signature florist.

Moutainfeet, Rhodes Bank, Oldham — a specialist mountain sports shop with an interest in walking, climbing and running footwear and the mechanics of the feet and lower limbs.

Skidmore Cycles, 35-37 Union Street, Oldham — a small, family-run firm that has been established for more than 50 years offering sales, accessories and maintenance.

The Pavilion Café, Chadderton Hall Park, Chadderton — formerly a derelict bowling pavilion, now a focal point for the Chadderton area, hosting community group meetings and councillors’ surgeries.

W and D Greenwood and Sons Ltd., 103 Vulcan Street, Derker, (multi-category entry — see Business of the Year).



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