The Bradford Means Business Awards return in style
IT was a night to remember at the Telegraph & Argus’ Bradford Means Business Awards as the glorious event returned with a bang. For the first time, the Bradford Hotel played host to the glitzy night of celebration after the toughest of two years for every industry.
Cast your minds back to July 2019 for the previous edition of the awards at the stylish marquee in Centenary Square. Unfortunately, the pandemic kicked 2020’s ceremony into touch. Nevertheless, it provided more of a reason for all the finalists to get suit and booted on this special occasion for the city’s businesses.
Former Look North presenter Christa Ackroyd welcomed the audience as host of the evening before speeches, a stunning performance from Dixon Music Primary’s (DMP) Young Voices, and the main event, the awards ceremony.
On the night, Steve Lowe, LOCALiQ’s sales director, said: “It is great to be back and in person here tonight at the Bradford Hotel. This night is our opportunity to celebrate business success in the district and reset the clock as we build our recovery. Thank you to all of our sponsors, especially Bradford Council; we could not run the awards without your support.
“I hope you have a great evening and good luck to all those that are shortlisted. If you win it is a bonus but if you don’t it has still been a good night and a moment of recognition for all the hard work you, your team and business have put in.”
Leader of Bradford Council, Cllr Susan Hinchliffe, followed by adding: “Thank you to the Telegraph & Argus and all the sponsors for helping us put on this evening. It is just wonderful and brilliant to be back at the Bradford Means Business Awards, especially in person and not on Zoom. I think everyone in this room needs to give themselves a pat on the back, every single one of you deserves an award.
“The last 18 months have been really tough for businesses.Through all that you have also helped the community, you have stepped up when it mattered, helping food banks, people and schools. It has been a testing time but you have gone through it and come out the other end so you should be damn proud of yourselves. We have not stopped at all either, through the pandemic it has been full on, but now we are powering ahead with our regeneration plans. We have got £33 million that we are spending in Keighley and £25 million we are spending in Shipley.
“Bradford Live is opening next year, the markets project is coming on well for 2022, and top of town is developing. We have got all sorts going on but none of that can happen without you. It is a true partnership in the city between the council and businesses, creating jobs and wealth for everyone to enjoy. Let’s think positively and create magic for the Bradford District, together we can do that!”
Before the awards got underway, guests tucked into a three-course mix of international cuisine, including Turkish style meze hummus, grilled salmon fillet and crème brulee.
For each of the categories, a video presentation telling everybody about the work of the three finalists was followed by the sponsors for the award announcing the winner. There were ten categories, two new ones for 2021, as well as the two introduced in 2020, that were never awarded. These are the Tech Company of the Year and Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year, as well as Sustainability Award and Social Mobility Award. There was also a special Winner of Winners award at the end of the night where everybody in the room each had one vote.
The night didn’t end there, guests stayed to play a game of roulette at the tables in the drink’s reception area. Napoleons Casino kindly provided the winner with a meal for two.