Awards deadline closing in fast

BUSINESS bosses and enterprising young starters are being encouraged to spend the festive break thinking about success in 2012.

Entries are coming in for the fourth year of The One Oldham Business Awards, sponsored by NatWest Business Banking, the Oldham Chronicle and Oldham Council, which have become the must-attend event for the borough’s business community.

Last year, more than 460 finalists, their guests and sponsors attended a gala evening at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, when the prestigious trophies were presented and almost £3,000 raised for the Oldham Youth Zone Mahdlo charity and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

Organisers are expecting a rush of entries after the festive break. Due to demand in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the gala dinner will take place on Friday, March 2 — much earlier than in previous years.

This compresses the entry process. Anyone planning to submit a nominations in the New Year will have only a few weeks to do so.

Chairman of the awards steering group is Steve Kilroy, from BAE Systems in Chadderton. He said: “I am urging everyone who is thinking of entering to start thinking about the process now. Entry is relatively simple, by visiting our website. This event has become a magnificent occasion for Oldham and all the finalists get free tickets, so don’t delay.”

Visit www.oldhambusinessawards.co.uk.