What a celebration! - this year's Oldham Business Awards winners are announced

The acclaimed restoration of an historic town centre ballroom has won entrepreneurial Krzysztof Zemlik the Special Recognition Award at this year’s Oldham Business Awards.

The accolade was an unexpected climax to the glittering awards evening for Mr Zemlik, who was one of three finalists in the Business Person of the Year category - alongside Richard Leach of Precision Pallets and Cases Ltd - being pipped to the award by Andy Hirst of Sudlow’s data centre and infrastructure specialists.

Specially selected by members of the OBA steering group, the prestigious special recognition award is given to someone considered to have gone above and beyond for the borough.

It acknowledges Mr Zemlik’s sympathetic and sustainable restoration of Billington’s Dance Studio, also known as the ‘Ascroft Street Academy’, once visited by thousands of dancers over eight decades and nurtured by Mrs Billington from whom the building takes its name.

A healthcare management professional, Mr Zemlik bought the historic building during the pandemic with plans to house and expand Ascroft Medical Centre, which he runs with his fellow director Dr Piotr Kieruzel.

But, as the 600-strong audience at the at the Queen Elizabeth Hall was told, Mr Zemlik wasn’t just buying a building – he was purchasing a piece of social history so deeply ingrained in Oldham’s past that he couldn’t let it disappear.

And as well as bringing dancing back to Billington’s, Mr Zemlik has created a coffee/cocktail lounge and meeting space that hosts a calendar of varied events across each week.

OBA chair Steve Kilroy, a former BAE Systems executive who leads the steering group which organises the awards and chooses the finalists and winners, said: “Congratulations and well done to Krzysztof for restoring Billington’s to its rightful place as a jewel in the crown of Oldham town centre.

“And congratulations to each and every one of tonight’s winners.

"Over the years, Oldham Business Awards have been recognised as a platform for growth and development not just for our winners, but for all of our finalists too.

“They all make a huge contribution to Oldham’s vibrant business community that features an astounding array of talent, business acumen, and entrepreneurial spirit.

"It’s an incredibly tough task to choose the finalists, never mind the winners, and our thanks go to everyone who has nominated an individual or a business this year.”

This year’s event was hosted by renowned impressionist, actor and comedian Jon Culshaw, his second stint as MC following his appearance in 2015, along with Granada Reports’ entertainment correspondent Caroline Whitmore.

Winners of 11 categories were unveiled, including a brand-new category for 2023, Workforce Health and Wellbeing, which was won by Oldham College for developing a holistic strategy towards employee health and wellbeing shaped by feedback from employees.

In addition to Business Person of the Year Andy Hirst, chosen for his instrumental role in transforming Sudlows from a £2m data cabling company to a multi award-winning £65m data centre infrastructure design and build company with offices in the UK, Europe, Middle East, India and Singapore, the other firms and individuals triumphant on the night were as follows:

· Business of the Year (£5m-plus): Rowan Ashworth Ltd.

· Business of the Year (£1-5m): Technology Powered Services Ltd.

· Business of the Year (up to £1m): Dream Big Sports Ltd.

· Micro Business of The Year: The Dawn Torrington Award: M Group Manchester Ltd.

· Young Business: Conexus Tuition.

· Start-up: Chances Mentoring.

· Young Entrepreneur: Bobbie-Leigh Tindall, B&L Aesthetics.

· Community Engagement: Ultimate Products.

· Supporting Young People: Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisors.

Earlier, the memorable and entertaining night began with a champagne reception in the main hall where guests were invited to have a flutter with fake cash at a fun casino.

There was also an opportunity to win raffle prizes that included four tickets to see Rick Astley in Leeds, two tickets for hospitality at a Foo Fighters’ gig, meal vouchers, match tickets for Lancashire cricket and Oldham Athletic FC, an iPad and more – with all the proceeds also going to OBA’s two chosen charities, Dr Kershaw’s Hospice and Mahdlo Youth Zone.

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