THE country’s most decorated Paralympian will be the host of this year’s Pride of Tameside Business Awards.
Dame Sarah Storey will be leading the ceremony at Dukinfield Town Hall, for which the 11 category shortlists have now been confirmed.
Dame Sarah – who has won 30 Paralympic medals, 19 of which were gold, during her cycling and swimming career – is currently the Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester.
Organised by Tameside Council, the not-for-profit awards – which made a successful return last year following a five-year absence – aim to celebrate the outstanding individuals and businesses that drive the local economy and strengthen Tameside’s community.
The judging panel for the awards – taking place on Friday, June 13 – was Tom Armstrong of Project Solar UK, Lynn Kerfoot MBE from Newland Conveyors, Paul Westwell of Bromleys Solicitors LLP, and Tameside College Principal and CEO Jackie Moores.
The shortlists have been announced as follows:
Large Business of the Year: AC Group Ltd, Visual Architects, Auxilium Services Limited.
Childcare / Social Care Business of the Year: Families First, Millbrook Healthcare Limited, Strive Academy.
Manufacturer / Engineering Business of the Year: Manchester Metrology Ltd, Lankem Limited, Dukinfield Metal Spinning Ltd.
Hospitality, Retail and eCommerce Business of the Year: The Restaurant at Tameside One, Candy’s Cupcakes Ltd, Duel Autocare Ltd.
Green Impact Business of the Year: The Power of Resilience CIC, Tameside Community Computers CIC, RSK Group Ltd.
Entrepreneur of the Year: Dr Ria Meera Munshi (Ri Ri’s Dance Academy), Gemma Taylor (Managed Ink), Elaine Sagar (Sunflower Group).
Construction / Property Business of the Year: Droylsden Glass, Adamson Construction & Interiors, Diamond Decorators (UK) Limited.
Tech / Digital Business of the Year: Red Rock, ZenTec IT Solutions.
SME of the Year: Your Wellbeing Company, Vertical Access Ltd, Bennett Staff.
Social Enterprise / CIC / Charity of the Year: The Power of Resilience CIC, Live Great Adventures CIC, Willow Wood Hospice, Hyde Festival Theatre.
Creative Business of the Year: Create & Craft Workshops, MIC Media, Visual Architects.
Councillor Andrew McLaren, Tameside Council’s Deputy Leader, said: “The awards offer just a snapshot of all the amazing local businesses across the borough from all sectors and the judges really had some tough choices to make.
“A massive well done to everyone who nominated their business, you are all achieving really fantastic outcomes and supporting the growth of our borough, by employing local people, and supporting our local communities and organisations, Tameside’s business community is brilliantly unique, and the awards offer the opportunity to join it!
“It’s going to be a fantastic evening as we welcome Dame Sarah Storey, an awe-inspiring figure to share our celebration and recognition of inspirational local enterprise.”
The awards have been sponsored by a host of local businesses and tickets for the ceremony can be bought at www.prideoftamesidebusinessawards.co.uk