Pendle Business Awards 2026 took place on Thursday 2 July at the Fence Gate.
Over 180 attendees comprising finalists, sponsors, supporters and guests celebrated business success, innovation and entrepreneurship at the black tie event. All were treated to a sparkling reception on arrival, courtesy of Sparkling Reception Sponsors GB Integrated Systems.
The awards brought the Pendle business community together to celebrate their success, innovation, hard work, vision and entrepreneurship. They also recognised the tenacity, adaptability and resilience shown by organisations across the borough when facing the many challenges of recent years.
14 different award categories were contested on the evening, with each having been shortlisted down to just three finalists by the PBA judges and sponsors.
After networking on arrival, singer Sara Creeney entertained the room prior to the ceremony throughout the delicious three course dinner.
The MC for the evening was Simon Brierley of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce. The Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Nadeem Ahmed provided the welcome address, with Awards Organiser Rachel Kay of Pendle Connects and Leader of Headline Sponsors Pendle Borough Council Councillor Asjad Mahmood also taking the stage to provide their own welcomes and introductions.
The awards were presented after dinner, on stage, by the category sponsors with the Winners being invited to the stage to receive their awards. Winners and finalists then had official photographs taken with their sponsors and receiving commemorative certificates. Huge congratulations to all our 2026 winners, who are listed below.
A “PBA World Cup Choir” was assembled at the end of the evening to round up proceedings with a rousing rendition of Three Lions, complete with flag waving to celebrate England’s (current!) successes in the World Cup tournament. Alex Woodcock of Large Business Sponsors XLCR was nominated Choir Captain after taking to the stage at PBA24 when we were progressing in the Euros.
Headline Sponsor for the awards was Pendle Borough Council. The awards were also supported by East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and the Pendle Vision Board. Trophy Sponsors were Wolfenden Concrete Ltd and Marsden Building Society joined as Ceremony Sponsors. D&M Creative printed the brochures, certificates and tableplan.
Organiser Rachel Kay said ‘We were delighted to again be able to bring the Pendle business community together to celebrate excellence and success in the borough. There was fierce competition this year so a special congratulations goes to all our Winners, and to our Finalists too. Our thanks goes to Headline Sponsors Pendle Borough Council and indeed to all our sponsors, judges and supporters for helping us bring the awards to life. Planning has started already for 2027 and the Ceremony will take place Thursday 8 July again at The Fence Gate. Potential sponsors are, of course, encouraged to get in touch.’
Full albums of photos and individual winners announcements will be found shortly on social media at Facebook and LinkedIn @pendlebusinesssawards
There are plenty of ways for businesses to get involved with the 2027 awards, find out more and view the exciting sponsorship opportunities at the dedicated website www.pendlebusinessawards.co.uk or contact Organiser Rachel Kay on 07920 775457.
The 2026 winners were – in alphabetical order:
🏆 The Apprentice of the Year Award was presented to Josh Ford of GoLive Experts and sponsored by East Lancs Learning Group
🏆 The Family Business Award was presented to Ashburn Stoves & Hamish’s and sponsored by Barnfield Construction
🏆 The Green Business Award was presented to Pendleside Hospice and sponsored by Reliable Renewables Ltd
🏆 The Hospitality & Tourism Award was presented to FUNDA LAND and sponsored by Umbrella Insurance Brokers
🏆 The Innovation Award was presented to Dynamic Safety and sponsored by D&M Creative
🏆 The Large Business Award for 2026 was presented to Pendle Leisure Trust and sponsored by XLCR Vehicle Management Limited
🏆 The Pendle Medium Business Award was presented to Wolfenden Concrete and sponsored by Tedekstra
🏆 The Micro Business Award was presented to The Wrapper and sponsored by Protec Fire and Security Group
🏆 The Not For Profit Award for 2026 was presented to Stage Door Youth Theatre and sponsored by Pendle Borough Council
🏆 The Retailer Award was presented to Funky Gifts and sponsored by Pendle Connects
🏆 The Rising Star Award was presented to Lolli Writes and sponsored by East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
🏆 The Small Business Award for 2026 was presented to James Bontoft Optometrist and sponsored by DHCS Ltd
🏆 The Social Responsibility Award was presented to DHCS Ltd and sponsored by Prolight Concepts Group
🏆 The Workforce Development Award was presented to GB Integrated Systems and sponsored by Farnworth Rose
Huge congratulations again to all our winners and thank you for your outstanding contributions to Pendle.