Awards deadline extended

JUDGES of the second One Oldham Business Awards, in addition to inviting business studies students to join their panels, have put back the deadline for entries by week to February 8.

All the indications are that nominations will reach last year’s levels, but members of the steering group believe that managers and bosses are struggling to find time to complete the entry forms.

“We are in a difficult period at the moment, with companies getting back into the swing of business after a two-week Christmas and New Year break and many are still fighting the effects of the recession,” says BAE Systems’ Chadderton site manager Steve Kilroy.

He has sympathy for the vast majority of people in the small-to-medium enterprise sector who are having to deal with lots of issues at the moment.

“It makes sense to give people more time to complete their entries. We know there is a huge groundswell of interest, as we are all being told ‘Yes — we want to enter’ but lots of people are struggling to find the time,” he added.

Mr Kilroy stressed that the forms, both traditional and online, are simple to complete and do not require hours of research or fine detail.

The original deadline for entries was January 31 but, following the last meeting of the steering group at the Oldham Business Centre, the date has been put back eight days to Monday, February 8.

This will allow firm’s more time to finalise their forms, perhaps over the weekend of February 6 and 7 and then submit them to the Chronicle offices.

Once the nominations have been received the judges must decide upon three finalists for each category, each of whom will receive two tickets to the awards dinner at Queen Elizabeth Hall on Monday, March 22.

Each of the finalists will be visited by a camera crew to prepare a short video to be shown on a giant screen at the dinner. The winners will be presented with a crystal trophy and bespoke prize.

In addition to extending the deadline, the steering group has extended an invitation to business students from the borough to join the judging panels.


HOW TO ENTER

YOU can enter online quickly and easily by visiting the simple to navigate awards website at:

www.oldhambusinessawards.co.uk

One click takes you straight to the simple to fill in entry form.

Enter the company name, contact details and the category you wish to enter.

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