Skipton business award winners celebrate
Tickets for the glittering award ceremony of the Skipton Business Awards at The Rendezvous Hotel were sold out, with the room packed to capacity on 22nd March as business owners, family and friends gathered to celebrate the town’s finest.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, the 2018 Skipton Business Awards proved themselves again to be the highlight of the business event calendar in Craven. Organised by Skipton Chamber of Trade & Commerce, the initiative brings together companies large and small to showcase the engaging businesses which are really helping the local economy thrive. Not limited to Chamber members, entry was open to any business with a Skipton BD23 postcode.
The beautifully dressed Malham Suite saw more than 230 members of the business community seated for the show, with the atmosphere a mix of excitement, hope and geniality.
Chamber Coordinator, Wendy Lawson spoke on the night of how much the business community contribute to Skipton being repeatedly regarded as one of the ‘happiest’ places to live. She said, “Skipton is unique – it is a ‘salt of the earth’, no nonsense Town and district with a massive heart and a business fraternity providing so much support to one another.”
Wendy went on, “to give huge thanks to Headline sponsor Skipton Building Society, Winners’ Champagne sponsor The Pentelow Practice, table centre sponsor AWB Charlesworth Solicitors and the thirteen category sponsors; also Malcolm and Karen Weaving, Amanda Casey and their incredible team at The Rendezvous Hotel, everyone who gave of their time and expertise to help out and the businesses who took time to enter.”
The judging panel for the awards was made up of impartial business experts; Alison Davies, Head of Digital, Skipton Building Society, Helen Clarke, Area Business Manager for Leeds and Area, Barclays Bank plc, Wendy Bateson, Estate Administrator, Broughton Hall Estate, Geraldine Thompson, BID Manager & Director, Skipton BID and Matt Cornish, AKA PR.
Bizzie Lizzie’s was named Overall Winner, having earlier picked up the Food & Drink Award. Details of the winners in each category can be found on the awards website http://www.skiptonbusinessawards.co.uk/ as follows:
Best Accommodation Award
Sponsored by The Rendezvous Hotel
Winner: Grassington House (application drafted by Manifest Marketing Ltd.)
Finalists:
The Black Horse Hotel, Grassington
Dalesgate Lodge B&B
Best Apprentice/Trainee Award
Sponsored by Spear Travels Ltd
Winner: Luke Baldwin (Hartleys) (application drafted by Manifest Marketing Ltd.)
Finalists:
Ruby Prince (Coffee Care)
Holly Broadbent (Kingsway Veterinary Group) (application drafted by Manifest Marketing Ltd.)
Best Business to Business (B2B) Supplier/Wholesaler Award
Sponsored by Bluefin Insurance Services
Winner: Coffee Care
Finalists:
Class One Fresh Produce
Crossgates Health, Hair & Beauty
Best Customer Service Award
Sponsored by Bizzie Lizzie’s
Winner: The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa
Finalists:
Kingsway Veterinary Group (application drafted by Manifest Marketing Ltd.)
Mewies Solicitors
Best Fitness Health & Beauty Business Award
Sponsored by Aspire Magazine
Winner: Crossgates Health, Hair & Beauty
Finalists:
Sitting Pretty
Skipton Slimming World
Best Food & Drink Award
Sponsored by Barclays Bank PLC
Winner: Bizzie Lizzie’s
Finalists:
Coffee Care
Grassington House (application drafted by Manifest Marketing Ltd.)
Best Leisure & Tourism Award
Sponsored by The Mill Shop, Skipton
Winner: Thornton Hall Country Park
Finalists:
Craven Country Ride
QUADTREX
Best Manufacturing/Engineering Business Award
Sponsored by Windle & Bowker
Winner: JB Springs
Finalists:
Hartleys (application drafted by Manifest Marketing Ltd.)
Principle Healthcare
Best Market Stall Award
Sponsored by Skipton Market
Winner: Traditional Yorkshire Biscuits
Finalists:
Feather’s Funky Eggs
Howard’s
Best New Business Award
Sponsored by High Corn Mill
Winner: Kibble Bakery
Finalists:
Alexander’s
Essential Self (application drafted by Manifest Marketing Ltd.)
Best Professional/Financial Services Business Award
Sponsored by The Shepherd Partnership Limited
Winner: Walker Foster
Finalists:
Mewies Solicitors
The Pentelow Practice
Best Retailer
Sponsored by Tyro Training
Winner: Spear Travels
Finalists:
Fleur Lingerie
The Present Planners Toy Shop
Overall Best Skipton Business Award Winner
Sponsored by Headline Sponsor Skipton Building Society
Winner: Bizzie Lizzie’s