Skipton is ‘Open for Business’
At a time when there are daily reports about division and wrangling in the wider business world, Skipton’s business community united to consolidate and nurture the local economy at an open event for business owners.
Skipton Chamber of Trade & Commerce conceived the event, the first of its kind, which was generously hosted by Chamber member, Skipton Building Society, at its HQ in Skipton. ‘Open for Business’ offered business members of the Skipton and surrounding areas a chance to share their expertise freely between one another. The event included promotional opportunities for members of the Chamber and a chance to hear presentations offered by experts in their field.
Alison Heaven, Regional Manager Business Development, Skipton Building Society, explained how their team offer a free ‘Financial Wellbeing’ for employers and employees. Dean Russell, Detective Constable and Regional Project Coordinator of Yorkshire and Humber’s Regional Crime Unit advised attendees how to avoid cyber-crime and offered the opportunity of free support. Bill Marwick of Craven Speakers Club spoke eloquently about ‘Public Speaking’ and how their members build their confidence through the group’s supportive techniques. Andy Barton, Chief Executive of SREG (Skipton and Ripon Enterprise Group) asked those present to consider what constitutes a ‘Business Community’ and the role of mentoring in that context.
The event also marked the launch of the third annual Skipton Business Awards. It was an opportunity for the organisers to draw a ballot of interested sponsors to allocate award categories and to introduce the Headline sponsor for 2019, Skipton BID.
Coordinator, Wendy Lawson thanked Skipton BID also for their initial foundation funding in October 2016. She remarked that “Thanks to the initial injection of funds in October 2016, the awards were able to launch, gather momentum and become the much-supported annual event we experience today. It is wonderful to have the BIDs support in such a way. In April when the Awards are presented, hopefully we will also be celebrating the start of a third BID term to keep Skipton firmly on the map as a ‘go to’ place to run a business, visit, work and live.”
Geraldine Thompson, Skipton BID Manager & Director, spoke of the coming vote for the BID’s third term, summarising plans for the future and outlining how the collective funds over the past ten years have raised the profile of the town nationally. She explained how Skipton could be proud of being one of the first BIDs in the North and how other up and coming BIDs are seeking advice from Skipton, recognising how much the town has benefited over the previous two terms.
Open for Business concluded with some warm words by Skipton Chamber of Trade & Commerce’s President, Ivan le Roux, who thanked contributors for making the evening such a success; “Tonight is a fantastic example of how our Skipton business community can come together and offer such incredible support. It is heartening to be part of such a ‘feel-good’ collection of expertise and entrepreneurship.”
If business managers require any information about the ‘Open for Business’ event and Skipton Business Awards 2019, they should contact Wendy Lawson, Coordinator via email: chamber@skiptononline.co.uk.