Fylde coast awards win was '˜best publicity'

Norman Tenray, chief executive of Longridge-based OBAS UK, has said entering one of the 18 prize categories up for grabs at the Be Inspired Business Awards, the BIBAs, could be “the best piece of publicity any firm could wish for.”

He is a two-times winner of the awards who is now a sponsor and judge and believes the awards has become known as a hallmark of quality.

OBAS UK is sponsoring the Small Business of the Year category at this year’s BIBAs, which was won by Chorley firm Festive Lights in 2016.

Mr Tenray said: “I have seen the benefit that winning at the BIBAs brought to my own business; you find people talk to you about it and view you in a different light when you have won one of them.

“Now I am a judge, I get to see many other businesses and individuals come through the process and use the limelight which being a BIBAs finalist or winner brings them to provide the best piece of publicity any firm could wish for.

“The BIBAs is synonymous with quality not just within Lancashire, it is recognised throughout the region and beyond and that is why I believe every business should look to apply.”

The deadline for applications to the awards closes at the end of March and the business leader believes the process which firms will go through on their way to the finals will provide a further boost.

When the deadline closes all entries will be eligibility-checked and whittled down to a shortlist for each category which will be announced on May 2.

The shortlisted firms will face the judging panel in a face-to- face interview, which get under way on May 15, and those which make the finalists’ shortlist will then receive a visit to their business from the judges as part of a second round of judging starting in June. The final will be held at the Tower Ballroom in September.