BURNLEY’S very best businesses have been revealed as they are shortlisted for an upcoming award ceremony.
Dozens of local businesses have been announced as finalists for the Burnley Business Awards and are hoping to come out top in their categories.
Burger bars, distilleries, hotels and other businesses have been recognised in the shortlist.
Handcrafted spirits distiller, Batch Distillery, is just one business up for an award.
Former apprentice and head distiller, Ryan Evans has been shortlisted for the young employee award.
Director of operations, Johdi Dinsdale, said: “Ryan is thrilled to have been recognised; Burnley has been our home for a number of years so this is fantastic.
“We are innovative, creative and passionate – and I think that makes us stand out from the rest.”
It’s not the first time the business has been recognised, also making the short list in 2019 for small business of the year. However, they are yet to come home victorious.
Hargreaves Street software company, CheckedSafe, has been shortlisted for a small business award.
A spokesperson said: “We are thrilled and delighted to have been announced as finalist.
“We are a Burnley based business and we champion Burnley. There are a lot of negative stories about Burnley but the awards hopefully show the many positives about the town.
“Burnley is a great place to do business and there is a lot of talent in this town. The more people know it the better.
“We have been involved in the business awards in previous years and they have always been great events.”
Illuminati Restaurant and Bar, on Hammerton Street, said they are “unbelievably honoured to be shortlisted at this years’ Burnley business awards.”
Owner, James Gibb, said: "It’s an amazing idea to showcase what Burnley has to offer and the diversity in businesses throughout the town.
"I think we may have been selected specifically for how we’ve adapted throughout all the different restrictions due to Covid for the hospitality industry.
"We managed to continuously operate with our take-away food & cocktails and also grow our team with an apprentice and other young people struggling to find employment in the area."
They have been nominated for a leisure, tourism and hospitality award, alongside Ellis’s burger restaurant, Crow Wood Hotel and Spa Resort and Burnley Leisure.
Burnley College is up for an environmental excellence award.
Karen Buchanan, Principal of Burnley College, said: “We’re delighted to reach the finals of the Environmental Excellence Award: it’s a great acknowledgement of the giant strides Burnley College has taken in this important area.
“Our outstanding learners are passionate about sustainability in all its different forms – from energy-saving schemes and cycle-to-college initiatives through to clothes exchanges and challenging employers about what they’re doing to reach net-zero.
“Plus, at Burnley College we never stand still. We’re determined to lead the way in making our Campus ‘greener’; in empowering our learners to make a difference to the environment and future-proof businesses in markets where reducing carbon emissions is key.”
Mick Cartledge, chief executive at Burnley Council, which is leading the event, said: “I know the judges were incredibly impressed by the entries and it was a tough job to whittle down the entries to the finalists.
"This was especially the case in the small business categories, which were by far our most popular.
"It’s testament to the hard work and resilience of our business community over the past two years and I’d like to thank Burnley businesses for their commitment and perseverance.
"And to those who did not make the finals, please do not be disheartened, the volume of entries was high, and we’d certainly encourage you to bring your success stories to us once again at the next Burnley Business Awards.
“All the best to the finalists and we look forward to celebrating the borough’s determination on the night of the awards.”
Here is a full list of finalists in the Burnley Business Awards 2022:
Small Business (0-19 employees – sponsored by Paradigm Precision)
Ellis’s
Timeless Fragrance Co
Checkedsafe
CUBE HR
MacMahon Leggate Chartered Accountants
Root Fifty-two
The Landmark
Small Business (20-49 sponsored by Paradigm Precision)
The Low Carbon Energy Company
Equestrian Surfaces
Process Instruments
Speakman Contractors
FloControl Ltd.
Medium Business (sponsored by Crow Wood)
Birchall Foodservice
Coolkit Ltd
AMS Neve
Large Business (sponsored by Charter Walk Shopping Centre)
Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort
Fagan & Whalley
VEKA
The Calico Group
Manufacturing Excellence (sponsored by Burnley College)
BCW
VEKA
Equestrian Surfaces
Process Instruments
The Employer of the Year (sponsored by Rotherwood Recruitment)
Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort
Birchall Foodservice
VEKA
Pendleside Hospice
International Trade (sponsored by +24 Marketing)
Process Instruments
AMS Neve
Young Employee (sponsored by Barnfield Construction)
Pendleside Hospice
FloControl Ltd
Schofield & Associates Financial Planning Ltd
Batch Brew Limited (Batch Distillery)
Innovation (sponsored by SS&C)
Checked Safe
Process Instruments
Red-Fern Media
Birchalls Foodservice
Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality (sponsored by Eric Wright Construction and Maple Grove Developments)
Ellis’s
Illuminati Restaurant & Bar
Burnley Leisure & Culture
Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort
Environmental Excellence (sponsored by Safran Nacelles)
RecycleIT
Burnley College
The Low Carbon Energy Company
The Burnley Business Awards 2022 will be held at Towneley Hall on June 30.
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