Morrisons is delighted to sponsor the Telegraph and Argus Small Business Award.

Morrisons itself started as a small family business in 1899, and has now grown to a company with more than 430 stores and 135,000 colleagues, with 12 million shoppers every week.

Even though the egg and butter stall is long gone, the family beliefs of freshness, quality, value and service are still strong in today’s business.

Morrisons is unique as a retailer in that not only do we sell food, we are also the second-biggest fresh food manufacturer in the UK, with our Farmers Boy and Cutler Heights fresh-food factories in the heart of Bradford.

We have more people in store preparing more fresh food than any other retailer, including 1,500 butchers, 2,000 bakers and 950 fishmongers.

All large businesses start from humble beginnings, and we recognise the huge contribution that small businesses make to the prosperity and life of Bradford.

Morrisons is now Bradford’s largest private-sector employer, with nearly 5,500 staff based at Hilmore House, five stores and two manufacturing plants.

Our contribution to the local economy is worth up to £200 million a year. and we are determined to play our part in promoting Bradford as a place to do business.