Lancashire’s business community shone bright under the famous Blackpool lights as the BIBAs celebrated the county stars.
The resort’s iconic Tower Ballroom, packed with more than 1,000 guests, gathered to cheer on the highlight of the county’s business year and 20 winners were crowned “the one they all want to win.”
First up, before all 20 categories were handed out and the finalists celebrated, the Lancastrian of the Year was presented to Blackpool Pleasure Beach boss, Amanda Thompson OBE.
The awards, organised by the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, got underway following a sumptuous, Lancashire-based four-course meal prepared by long BIBAs suppliers, Campbell & Rowley. Guest presenter Coleen Nolan welcomed guests before the awards presenters took to the stage.
And it was a hat-trick to celebrate for Chorley-based Group 55 who scooped the top honour of Business of the Year, to go with their Medium business and Scale Up award.
There was double delight for Blackburn College who won the Leadership Team of the Year, as well as Skills Provider.
And speaking of doubles, it was also a brace for Wrea Green-based Heir Salon and Education was took home the Apprentice Team of the Year for the second year running and got their hands on Micro Business of the Year.
Want another double? Blackpool-based VARS Technology took home Innovative Business as well as Small Business of the Year.
In a hotly contested field, Kelmore won Manufacturer of the Year, with One Fylde next on the stage to collect the Community Business of the Year trophy.
Next up, it was a family affair for Morecambe-based Lunar Refrigeration who won Family Business.
Blackpool Zoo took home the Leisure & Tourism BIBA while Chorley-based Vault Creative won Digital & Marketing Business of the Year.
Service Business of the Year was won by The Secret Garden Glamping, while New Business of the Year was scooped by St Annes-based Beurre Patisserie and Fox Group won Construction Business of the Year.
Low Carbon Business of the Year was won by Clitheroe-based Stortec, while Pendle Doors were awarded Employer of the Year and Lancaster-based Standfast & Barracks won Global Business of the Year.
Sponsors for this year’s BIBAs included Brabners, MHA, BAE Systems, EEK Media, Delta Care, CKS Catering, Smooth Radio, Sustainable Energy First, Intersys-Micronics, Team Leyland and North End Events.
Full list of BIBAs winners
Lancastrian of the Year – Amanda Thompson OBE (Blackpool Pleasure Beach)
Manufacturer – Kelmore (Chorley)
Community – One Fylde (Blackpool)
Creative, Digital & Marketing – Vault Creative (Chorley)
Leisure & Tourism – Blackpool Zoo (Blackpool)
Service – The Secret Garden Glamping (Skelmersdale)
Family – Lunar Refrigeration (Morecambe)
Construction – Fox Group (Blackpool)
Innovative – VARS Technology (Blackpool)
Global – Standfast & Barracks (Lancaster)
Scale Up – Group 55 (Chorley)
Employer – Pendle Doors (Darwen)
Leadership – Blackburn College
Low Carbon – Stortec (Clitheroe)
Apprentice Team – HEIR Salon and Education (Wrea Green)
Skills Provider – Blackburn College
New – Beurre Patisserie (St Annes)
Micro – HEIR Salon and Education (Wrea Green)
Small – VARS Technology (Blackpool)
Medium – Group 55 (Chorley)
Business – Group 55 (Chorley)