In some corners the BIBAs has been described at the Oscars of Lancashire and is more commonly known as the ‘one they all want to win.’
Whilst the celebrations was overshadowed by the death of Her Majesty the Queen, patron of the Chamber network in the UK, Babs Murphy, chief executive of the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, organisers of the BIBAs said the event was said it is a fitting tribute that awards night still went go ahead as planned: “Throughout her enduring reign, Queen Elizabeth showed time and again that no matter what the circumstances, continuity is vital. As patron of the British Chambers of Commerce, Her Majesty championed the achievements of businesses and that’s what we did , in honour of her memory,”
This year, in the grandest of surroundings the awards ceremony couldn’t fail but to impress with some of Lancashire’s popular brands coming under the lime light.
North West supermarket chain Booths has been named the Business of the Year at one of Lancashire’s leading business awards.
The family-owned business, which has 15 branches across the county, collected the prestigious awards at the Be Inspired Business Awards, The BIBAs, prize-giving ceremony at the Blackpool Tower on Friday 16th September.
It was one of 20 businesses which collected awards with Textile specialist Standfast & Barracks walking away with the Global Business of the Year and Medium Business of the Year prizes.
A sell-out crowd of more than 1,100 people were entertained by boyband BLUE performing a range of their hit songs in front of a celebratory and triumphant audience.
Babs Murphy, said the event was “a perfect celebration” after a tough 2 plus years for the county’s business community.
She said: “Lancashire businesses have used innovation, enthusiasm and sheer hard work to overcome so many challenges over recent years and The BIBAs was the perfect way to recognise them.
“Regardless of the sector they are in or the size of the business they have all had to dig deep and rely on the character their people to get through this tough period.
Babs added: “The successes we celebrated at The BIBAs were a recognition of a real collective success by so many people”.
Other winners on the night included Preston based Suresite Group which won the Small Business of the Year, Plumbs which picked up Family Business of the Year, The Senator Group which collected Manufacturer of the Year and Lytham based Sandgrown Spirits the winner of Micro Business of the Year.
Scale Up Business of the Year went to Freedom Heat Pumps UK and the prize for Leisure & Tourism Business of the Year going to Lancashire Outdoor Activities Initiative – Anderton Centre.
The night was hosted by Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole with Lancashire-based international opera star Sean Ruane performing for the audience.
The big moment came with the announcement of Lancastrian of the Year. An honour bestowed on an individual who has made a significant contribution to the County. This year the accolade was award to Sir Bill Beaumont, CBE, DL.