Hurrah and huzzah! Entries for the 2018 Northern Soul Awards are now open – and the best bit? It won’t cost you a penny.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural awards, held at Hilton Manchester Deansgate, the 2018 awards will continue to celebrate and recognise the organisations, associations, businesses and individuals who contribute to the dynamic and diverse identity of the North of England. The Northern Soul Awards 2018 will be held at the iconic Manchester Cathedral on November 15. The combination of the history and grandeur of this glorious medieval building means we’re set for an incredible night.

Guests will arrive through the west entrance which is normally closed to the public (but it’s where the Queen enters when she visits). From there, they will enjoy a drinks reception in the beautiful regimental chapel hosted by Alston Bar & Beef, including an exclusive Northern Soul gin cocktail. This will be followed by a three-course dinner in the splendour of the cathedral nave.

Then come the awards themselves, staged in front of the magnificent medieval frontage of the choir and the organ. After the ceremony, there will be a DJ set until midnight. The official after-party will take place a few steps from the cathedral at Alston Bar and Beef in the Corn Exchange.

The Awards

Developed by Northern Soul, the awards feature 18 categories. They include best theatres, galleries, festivals, exhibitions, bars, restaurants, small and large businesses, music venues and publishers, with a special award for the Northern Soul of the Year. We’ve also got best LGBT Business and Northern Writer of the Year. All organisations which contribute to the culture and enterprise in the North are encouraged to enter. The ceremony will attract an audience in excess of 200 cultural, artistic and business professionals from across the North and will be an excellent networking experience.

The awards are a fantastic opportunity to be lauded for your work and achievements over the past 12 months – so if you have been making great things happen in the North, make sure you don’t miss the Northern Soul Awards. The awards are free to enter. All categories will be judged by an influential and respected judging panel.

This year, we’re also keen to recognise individuals who have made a huge difference to the North with our Great Northerners campaign, sponsored by Manchester Cathedral. So, who is your Great Northerner? Who gets your vote as a Great Northern Soul? Northern Soul is looking for nominations for its top 50 list, results to be announced on the night. We’re looking for all entries – no matter how big or small. So whether it’s your friendly neighbourhood lollipop man, the lady who owns your favourite street food van, a business owner or a household name, get in touch over at Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or send us your entry by email to helennugent@northernsoul.me.uk

Want to show your support? 

Successful businesses recognise the many benefits of cultural excellence and leadership. We’d love it if you’d invest in our awards to support the work of the cultural and enterprise sectors as they enhance the lives of everyone living in the North. In exchange, we promise a fantastic return on your investment, including publicity and branding via our online channels, a table at the awards dinner at Manchester Cathedral on 15th November, and the opportunity to present an award on the night. Sounds pretty great, right? 

The headline sponsor for The Northern Soul Awards 2017 is AKA North. They are experts in developing creative and integrated campaigns for theatre, museums and galleries, live events, education and visitor attractions, to name but a few. Established for 20 years, they are dedicated to helping clients reach the widest possible audience using a unique blend of intelligent analytics, local market knowledge and a bold, creative vision.

How to enter

To enter, head over to the awards website, complete and upload to the online entry system. Award entries are open until August 31, and the shortlist will be announced October 1. For more information on what the judges are looking for, take a look at the judging process and criteria. The awards website is https://awards.northernsoul.me.uk/

 

For further information about the Northern Soul Awards 2018, please contact the Editor of Northern Soul, Helen Nugent, on 07554 459 600 or email at helennugent@northernsoul.me.uk 

You can also contact the Deputy Editor of Northern Soul, Emma Yates-Badley, on 07572 105 532 or email at emma@northernsoul.me.uk

If you would like to learn more about how your organisation could benefit from a partnership with the Northern Soul Awards through sponsorship or in-kind support, please contact Nancy Collantine at nancycollantine@gmail.com

Click here to view the full list of categories.