AN evening that promises to celebrate the best of business in Warrington has been launched.

Warrington Business Awards 2015 will take place on Friday, June 12 at a glittering marquee event at Lymm Rugby Club.

Any firms or organisations within the WA postcode area – including charities, education establishments and public sector – are now eligible to apply for the awards in eight categories:

  • Businessman of the year
  • Businesswoman of the year
  • Apprentice of the year
  • Innovation of the year
  • Community initiative of the year
  • New business of the year (start up)
  • Retailer of the year
  • Business of the year

The awards will be decided by a panel of judges, including Warrington Wolves chief executive Roger Draper, the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs, Dave Thompson from Warrington Disability Partnership, Steven Broomhead, Warrington Borough Council interim chief executive, and Warrington Guardian editor Hayley Smith, as well as a number of leading business chiefs.

Networking groups Warrington First, Pro Warrington, Women in Business and Business Breakfast have joined forces to host this year’s event.

Committee member Danny Hudson, from Watsons Solicitors, said: “The awards have been set up by a group of individuals who wanted to celebrate the business community of Warrington.

“Warrington is a growth town and is a huge provider of commerce for the north west. More businesses started in Warrington last year than Newcastle or Sheffield which just shows how far we have come and how much entrepreneurial spirit is here.

“The awards give a neutral platform for applicants to put themselves forward irrespective of size and highlight their achievements to a wider audience. The response from the community has been fantastic and I’m looking forward to getting people together and having a great time for an event that is ultimately a celebration of the town itself.”

Pictured at the business awards launch event at Grill on the Square on Tuesday are Charles Agar, from FDR Law, Clr Faisal Rashid, from Natwest, Wolves chief executive Roger Draper, Sanjaya Amaratunga from HSBC, Warrington Guardian editor Hayley Smith, Ian Cox from Golden Square and Chris Hanratty from Watsons Solicitors 

Second pic: Tim Edwards, from Adele Carr Financial Recruitment, Jennifer McGuiness and Charles Agar from FDR Law, Ian Cox from Golden Square, Danny Hudson from Watsons Solicitors, Patricia Peters, from Women in Business and Business Breakfast Group, and Chris Hanratty, from Watsons Solicitors

Pictures: Dave Gillespie