The Northern Soul Awards celebrate and reward cultural and entrepreneurial excellence in the North of England including theatres, music venues, museums, small and large businesses, restaurants, galleries, writers, bars, and festivals. The 2018 awards will take place on November 15th at the stunning Manchester Cathedral.
We will award prizes in 18 categories, with a special award decided by the judges for the Northern Soul of the Year. The awards are open to all and are FREE to enter.
The awards will attract professionals from within the cultural and business worlds, as well as Northern entrepreneurs, and are an excellent networking opportunity.
The awards were launched in 2017 by the North's leading culture and enterprise website, Northern Soul. Last year's event was a sell-out and attracted a substantial amount of entries. It was the must-attend event for creatives in the North of England.
2018 Timeline
14 JUNE
Awards Launch
31 AUG
Deadline for all Entries
26 SEPT
Judging Session
1 OCT
Shortlist Announced
15 NOV
Awards Ceremony
Testimonials from the 2017 Awards
Wild Rumpus
Gemma Gibb, Communications Director
"We were over the moon to win Northern Soul Small Business of the Year. It’s important to have an event that celebrates the spirit and success of the whole of the North. A room of inspirational people doing brilliant things … and a blinking fun night out to boot."
Harrogate International Festivals
Sharon Canavar, CEO Harrogate International Festivals
“We were so honoured, and truly delighted to receive such a wonderful award in our 50th anniversary year. It meant a great deal to our team, the volunteers, and the wider community, that the breadth of our work from music to literature and outreach work, was recognised by such a prestigious cultural organisation. The Northern Soul Awards have a fantastic reputation with high-profile judges who work across The Arts in the North, so it is gratifying to be recognised by such leading talent. The Award was icing on the cake for our 50th celebrations, and cements our reputation as one of the region’s leading arts charities.”
The Dukes
Ivan Wadeson, Chief Executive
“Last year’s Northern Soul Awards were a wonderful opportunity to celebrate creativity and talent across the North. It was a pleasure to be part of the awards evening celebration – and we are eagerly looking forward to this year’s event.”
Comma Press
Becky Harrison, Event Manager
"We were absolutely delighted to win Northern Publisher of the Year at the Northern Soul Awards 2017 - the trophy sits pride of place in our office! Being able to celebrate all that the North has to offer in terms of culture - from food, to theatre, to books, to advertising - with the people actually making that happen made for a great evening, and an enjoyable event."
N Brown Group PLC
"We were thrilled to win Large Business of the Year at the 2017 Northern Soul Awards. It was a terrific night and wonderful to be among such great Northern businesses. We look forward to the 2018 Awards."