Two more add support to awards

UNIVERSITY Campus Oldham and Unity Partnership are the latest organisations to join the growing list of sponsors for the 2010 One Oldham Business Awards.

Both have committed to supporting these second awards which will recognise and reward all that is good about the recovering Oldham economy.

More than £30,000 has been raised through the private sector to support the event, launched last year by Chronicle Business with support from NatWest Bank and Oldham Council.

The awards are supported by Oldham Local Council of Greater Manchester Chamber, the Asian Business Association, Positive Steps Oldham, Women in Business Oldham and the borough’s three seats of learning — The Oldham College, Oldham Sixth Form College and now University Campus Oldham.

With the deadline for submissions extended to Monday, there is still time to enter any of the 10 categories.

Nominations can be made online at www.oldhambusinessawards.co.uk or by completing a simple form which has been posted to hundreds of Oldham businesses.

Anyone still needing a form can contact the Chronicle on 0161-622 2134.

The judges will have a difficult enough task deciding upon the winners but their first mission is to reduce each of the lists to three finalists.

A film crew will visit each finalist to secure footage for display on a giant screen in the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the evening of Monday, March 22, when the borough’s business community will once again turn out in force to honour the winners.

Following their stellar performance at the Pride in Oldham lunch, Failsworth Community Band will provide the entertainment during the Champagne and canapes pre-dinner reception and the entertainment will continue through the evening, culminating with the Oscars-style awards ceremony.

More than 400 black-tie guests will enjoy a five-course dinner prior to the presentations.

Tickets are available at £35 per head. A table of 10 can be secured for £400, which includes an advertisement in the dinner menu.

Steering group committee member Kash Ashraf, who represents the ABA and PSO, said: “Last year we saw all that is good about the Oldham business community and the signs are that these second awards will surpass what was a spectacular evening.

“I honestly believe we have a great deal to be proud of here in Oldham and these awards reflect a growing optimism that we are all on the right track.”