In 2019, Barkers & the Bolton Family won the Connected Places Award, part of the Responsible Business Awards—Business in the Community’s flagship annual celebration recognising responsible businesses.
Barkers and the Bolton Family demonstrated effective cross-sector collaboration, bringing together businesses, charities, and public sector partners around a long-term vision for Bolton. The initiative strengthened connections between local communities and businesses, fostering more cohesive and resilient communities. It is estimated that the scheme directly benefited 10,000 individuals, with a further 30,000 indirectly benefiting in specific areas of need. For example, food poverty was addressed through food bank drives, raising 1.5 tonnes of food per event, alongside bespoke family gatherings for families experiencing challenging circumstances. This approach exemplified the spirit of the Connected Places Award, fully embodying a place-based approach in a committed, passionate, and authentic way.
“For our business to take part in the Bolton Family, we saw it as a privilege because of the benefits it delivered. From a business perspective, it made sense too—it set us apart for our customers and demonstrated sincerity and purpose to our employees. We were thrilled to have won this award with our partners from the Bolton Family. It was an honour to attend the event, showcase how organisations in Bolton came together to deliver social value, and be inspired by the work of others, empowering us to do even more.” – Warren Kozera, Director, Barkers