Bolton's Octagon Theatre has won the award for Medium Business of the Year at the 2024 Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) Excellence Awards.
The awards recognise business achievements highlighting organisations, leaders and teams who have demonstrated success within their industries and communities in Greater Manchester. The Octagon’s work on stage, its national partnerships and its work with Bolton’s communities were praised, as well as the theatre's steps to improving access to the arts such as its affordable ticket scheme, work with refugees and unpaid carers and other efforts to include as many people as possible.
Octagon Chief Executive Roddy Gauld said, “it’s a wonderful testament to our team’s achievements that we’ve been named Medium Business of the Year, and I'm so pleased that as a charity, our work has been recognised. The judges said they were looking for a business that made a positive contribution to the community and economy, as well as showing growth and innovation, and excellence in customer service. I’m incredibly proud that the Octagon has stood out across Greater Manchester.”
The Octagon was also a nominee for the Most Welcoming Theatre award at the UK Theatre Awards, while Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham won the Women in Leadership award at the SheInspires Awards earlier this month and has been nominated in the Power List and Agent of Change categories at the 2025 Northern Power Women’s Awards.