Iconic Greater Manchester pub 'honoured' to feature in top 100 list

A much-loved bar and lounge in Oldham has been named as one of the most impressive small businesses in the UK. Billingtons Ballroom has been listed among some of the nation's best as part of this year's SmallBiz100 line-up.

Billingtons on Ascroft street is well known in the area for running events such as soul nights and Northern soul dance workshops. It was first opened by Albert and Nora Billington back in 1934.

An avid dancer, Nora was known as the 'Dance Queen' for the dance academy that she ran with Jack at the venue. Sadly, Albert suddenly passed away in 1964 which led to Nora handing over the keys to the business once she retired in 1970.

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Nora sadly passed away in the year 2007 aged 98, and years later the building was sold and to be used for storage. However, it found a new lease of life when it was bought and lovingly restored by owner Krzysztof Zemlik (Kris) in 2021.

Kris, who is now the owner of the space said: "We are absolutely honoured and delighted to be selected as one of the nation’s most impressive one hundred small businesses by SmallBiz100. We are a small team, but we offer a big welcome to everyone, whether it’s for a cup of tea and cake or an event for 200 people. We take time and effort to ensure that we offer the best service possible to our customers.”

The SmallBiz100 showcases 100 of the most impressive independent businesses from across the nation as part of the count-down to Small Business Saturday on 7 December.

Running in the UK for over a decade, Small Business Saturday is the UK’s most successful small business campaign, which takes place each year on the first weekend in December, celebrating small businesses and encouraging consumers to