Lancashire women's business awards postponed until next February

Originally due to be held this autumn, the organisers of the Enterprise Vision Awards have announced the 10th anniversary ceremony will now take place on Friday, February 5 next year.

Hailed as the largest business awards outside London dedicated solely to female entrepreneurship, and sponsored by NatWest plc for the eighth year running, it is a chance for businesswomen to shine the spotlight on their successes and achievements.

Coral Horn, Founder of the EVAS said “The economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges of balancing familial and business responsibilities whilst staying visible and relevant have weighed heavily on female shoulders.

"It’s important that we all show our support for the strong, dynamic and determined women in the region. Nominate those amazing women and help them to get their business noticed.”

Previous local winners include Sara Dewhurst of Lytham Gin who recently won an award at the Gin Guide Awards with her Bee’s Knees Gin.

She said “Winning the New Business award at the EVAS last year gave me a great platform to promote my gin and the confidence to invest in The Sandgrown Distillery which will be opening to the public later this year.

Open to all sectors, from bakers to bankers, there are 16 categories to be won and an additional category which is chosen from all the finalists; the Outstanding Achievement award. To mark ten years of outstanding businesswomen, the finalists of the Young Entrepreneur and the Charity categories will each receive a free ticket to the ceremony.

The awards will be presented at a glittering ceremony at the iconic Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. The closing date for entries has been extended until midnight on Friday, October 30.

A series of online information events will be held so that nominees can discover how the awards can impact on their business. The first event will take place on Tuesday, August 11.

To book your free place or to get involved with the awards or order tickets, visit the website www.enterprisevisionawards.co.uk .