Surprise ‘lifetime achievement’ winner announced as business awards unveiled
At a packed award ceremony hosted at the Toughsheet Community Stadium by ITV Granada’s Elaine Willcox the winners came up one by one from a range of different categories.
In a surprise twist former Mayor of Bolton and current Deputy Mayor Cllr Andy Morgan was announced as winner of the lifetime achievement award.
Speaking to The Bolton News after being handed the accolade, Cllr Morgan said: “I don’t think I do anything more than anyone else in this room tonight does on a day to day basis, championing Bolton, working for Bolton and doing the very best for our town.
“I’m absolutely over the moon and absolutely gobsmacked!”
Cllr Andy Morgan was honoured with a lifetime achievement award(Image: Simon Dewhurst)
Cllr Morgan was joined in the roll call of winners by Business of the Year Percy Doughty.
Managing director Andrew Mulligan said: “It’s amazing, its the first award ceremony we’ve ever been involved in so it’s a total surprise, we’re really humbled and it’s a great testament to the team we have here, the best team.”
Also unveiled as worthy winners on the night were Bolton Wanderers in the Community for the apprentices, skills and training category.
Taking home the heart of the community award was Bolton Manbassadors, while young entrepreneur of the year was won by Jessica Picton of She Swings.
The customer service award was won by ABC Printwear while Bridgewater Home Care took home the wellbeing award.
Winner of the SME category was Barlow Bespoke Flowers while the family business category was awarded to Grubs Boots.
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The winner of the environmental/sustainability category was Saving Threads CIC while social enterprise of the year went to Backup North West.
Maura Jackson of Backup North West said: “I think it’s amazing because the category is very competitive with some amazing people in it. “So it really is a credit to everyone to be recognised in this way.”
The leisure, retail and hospitality category went to Bank Top Brewery.
David Sweeney said: “After 30 years of very tough times in the brewery industry within the North West and nationally means a lot, being recognised by the people of Bolton shows what we’ve achieved, what we continue to achieve and how we’re continuing to put Bolton foremost.”
Source – INDIA TV