A Wirral-based entrepreneur is excited to bring the “LGBTQ+ Oscars” to Liverpool next week.
Drew Cockton, the founder of the North West LGBTQ+ Business Awards, has been planning and organising the annual awards ceremony over the last few months. The night-time event celebrates everyone in the community from young people and small business owners to diverse and inclusive employers and those who have accomplished "outstanding" personal achievements.
Similar to last year, which was the first-ever North West LGBTQ+ Business awards, accolades such as Best Employer Award and the LGBTQ+ Ally Award will be handed out to worthy winners. However, this year will also feature three new categories - the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, Best Social Media Award and Best Customer Service.
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Drew told the ECHO : “It’s extremely important to celebrate the community. Sadly, hate crime is on the rise and we saw those awful homophobic attacks in our city last summer. Events like these, as well as Pride, show the bigots we're here and we won't be intimidated. With all of the general doom and gloom, it's so important to celebrate our hardworking business owners and entrepreneurs and as one myself, I understand the difficulties we're all facing.”
Over 1000 applications were received for the awards but the number was narrowed down to under 40 for the shortlist. The ECHO has reported on several of the nominees in the last few months, including David Andrew Griffiths, a Birkenhead-based dentist who has been dealing with the city’s ongoing dental crisis. Also in with a chance of winning is Markos Malone, a hairdresser who prides his salon on being a safe space “where it feels like you're walking into an old friend's home”, Craig Cavanagh, an LGBTQ+ manager who has been making hospitality venues around the city more inclusive and Oliver Jude, a bullying victim who took back control by releasing a positive clothing line.
Drew, the owner of a luxury fragrance firm which received a £50,000 investment from Touker Suleyman after appearing on Dragon’s Den, said: “Businesses are struggling massively right now and many just feel like throwing the towel in. You can't blame them. So anything like this which acknowledges the hard work of our North West business community is, in my view, a very good thing. When you think about it, jobs and wealth are created by entrepreneurs taking risks and giving things a go. We're only going to get out of this mess if businesses are able to grow, prosper and create the jobs we need and the funds for improved public services via taxation.”
With 400 guests expected to attend, Drew said people can expect “a very much red-carpet vibe”. He added: “I am really excited this year. People can expect a night of celebration as well as glitz and glamour. We're bringing the LGBTQ+ Oscars to Liverpool. It's grown massively from the small-scale event I intended it to be, which is amazing. It's always difficult to prove a concept like this but once you have successfully done it once, like we did last year, people are more confident about sponsoring and investing their time and money.”
The ceremony is set to be held at The Titanic Hotel in Liverpool on Friday, October 21.
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