Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards: The winners (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards: The winners

3:50pm Monday 23rd November 2009 in

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THEY came in their hundreds from across East Lancashire – and beyond – to celebrate and honour the best our area has to offer.

And this year it was perhaps the most poignant and important Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards yet.

During the past year a number of companies have collapsed and workers have lost their jobs as the recession made its presence felt.

But despite that – or perhaps because of it – it was more necessary than ever to highlight the heroes, the success stories and those who have fought back.

And, following the awards, the overwhelming feeling should be optimism that industry in East Lancs is in the highly capable hands of some outstanding entrepreneurs.

The future is bright.

Guests, including Sir Bill Taylor, Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Mike Lee and East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Mike Damms, were welcomed to Ewood Park, Blackburn, with a champagne reception.

Lancashire Telegraph editor Kevin Young then used his address to laud the 27 companies nominated.

He called on them to use their expertise to pull the region through the slump.

He said: “Some of the entries this year have been absolutely fantastic.

“We have had some great stories despite the worst recession we have had for a long time.

“It is amazing the way companies are fighting back.”

The Lancashire Telegraph’s We’re Backing Business campaign, launched earlier this year, continues to help firms with free help and advice with Business Link North West.

And Mr Young urged the scores of business leaders and entrepreneurs listening to join our own panel of ‘dragons’ to offer their expertise to struggling companies.

After-dinner speaker and former bank manager, Yorkshireman David Kendall, entertained and amused guests before the 11 prestigious awards were handed out by BBC TV weather presenter Dianne Oxberry.

After whoops of joy, shocked silences and dances of delight, staff made their way to the stage to collect their gongs from Dianne, returning for her sixth ceremony.

She said afterwards: “Every year I do this I am amazed at how fresh and original the entries are.

“There are always a few companies that we know very little about but who have got international contracts, and it’s great to reward them.

“What we have seen is that companies are finding inspirational ways of getting through the recession, and that is always worth celebrating.

"It was a great night, as it always is.”

The final word must go to Steve Hartley, managing director of WEC Group, which took home the most prestigious award of the night, Business of the Year.

He brilliantly described the feelings of anticipation, nervousness and joy that come from winning one of our coveted awards.

“I was sat there with my jacket off, thinking we hadn’t won,” he said.

“I don’t know why but I just got that same feeling that I had last year when we were nominated and lost out.

“But when she read out our name, I was over the moon and I still am now. It means so much.”

THE WINNERS.

Business of the Year - WEC Group, Darwen.

Retailer of the Year - Euro Garages, Darwen.

Training and Development - Calico, Burnley.

Small Business of the Year - Process Instruments, Burnley.

We’re Backing Business - Moorhouse’s, Burnley.

Social and Community Development - The Grand, Clitheroe.

Technology - Apeks Marine, Blackburn.

Export - ACDC Lighting Systems, Barrowford.

Innovation - Precision Polymer Engineering, Blackburn.

Environment - JJO, Bacup.

Team of the Year - Account management team, Simon Jersey, Altham.

Click on the link below to read more about each winner and to view and buy pictures from our Business Awards 2009 gallery.