A NEW "women only" competition is to replace the annual Bolton and Bury Business Awards.

The local business community has enjoyed an annual Oscars-style dinner since 1993 and it has been a well-received showcase for entrepreneurial talent.

But Bolton Business Ventures (BBV), the organisers, have decided to change direction.

Chief executive Paul Davidson said: "Sponsorship has changed. We were not able to attract the same support as in other years. We felt a new initiative was necessary."

So Business Link North Manchester and BBV, the local enterprise and development agency, are now looking to recognise and reward the tremendous contribution which women make to the North Manchester economy.

The inaugural North Manchester Women Entrepreneurs of the Year competition was launched on Wednesday (Sept 25) at the annual Business Lecture at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton by Manchester curry queen Nighat Awan of the Shere Khan group.

It is part of the current initiative to establish a Centre of Excellence for women entrepreneurs across five North Manchester towns: Bury, Bolton, Oldham, Wigan and Rochdale. The Awards, which include significant cash prizes, are designed to link with specific loan funds, business mentoring and network support.

Apart from Business Link North Manchester and BBV, principal sponsors are the government's Small Business Service Phoenix Fund, Bolton Institute, Barclays and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The project is also supported by the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund EQUAL programme. The Awards are specifically targeted at the small and medium businesses which make up much of the economic base in the five towns covered by the competition.

It is part of the government campaign, Enterprise For All, which aims to build an enterprise society in which all small businesses can thrive.

The winners will be announced at an Awards Presentation dinner to be held in January, 2003.

The categories are:

Jean Wilson Award for Entrepreneurship, Most Innovative Idea, Young Woman Entrepreneur, Supporter of Women's Business, Woman Social Entrepreneur, Woman Entrepreneur of the Year and Best Corporate Entrepreneur.

Nominations are also being sought for the Award for Corporate Community Involvement which was introduced last year in memory of prominent Bolton businessman Tony Rink.

Nomination forms are available from Business Link North Manchester on 0161-762-3300 or BBV on 01204 391400 (web site: www.bbvonline.net). For enquiries and tickets contact BBV Operations Executive Sylvia Philips on 01204 391400 or e-mail: sp@bbvonline.net