FINALISTS have been announced in Skipton Business Awards which saw a glut of entries.

Organisers say they are "delighted" to have attracted so many entries in the inaugural year of the awards which aim to showcase businesses in Skipton and the BD23 postcode area.

Winners of each category, including overall Skipton Business of the Year, will be revealed at a ceremony at The Rendezvous Hotel, Snaygill, on Thursday, March 23, from 7pm.

Tyro Training’s Matt Cornish, head judge, said it had taken "much deliberation" to select the shortlist of finalists for each category.

“The judges were incredibly impressed by the sheer number of entrants. The quality was consistently high and it was a genuine challenge to pick a winner from each category.

"It’s a fantastic start for the inaugural Skipton Business Awards and great to see so many companies taking part. It’s clear the Skipton area is blessed with a thriving business community,” he said.

Billy Moffatt, President of Skipton Chamber of Trade said, “Despite a challenging year, local companies from all sectors reported excellent performances and some great achievements.

"It is fantastic that so many local firms have been inspired to get involved in the awards. "In recognising their excellence it provides us with a collective opportunity to champion the Skipton BD23 area as a resourceful place to establish sustainable businesses.”

The judging panel comprised Victoria Robertshaw, the owner of Keelham Farm Shop, Alison Davies, head of digital at Skipton Building Society, Helen Clarke, area business manager for Leeds and area Barclays Bank plc, Debi Hawkins, Skipton centre co-ordinator Cancer Support Yorkshire and Matt Cornish, marketing and promotions co-ordinator, Tyro Training.

The awards are supported by the Skipton BID, headline sponsor Andrew Mear of High Corn Mill, associate sponsors The Pentelow Practice and The Mill Shop, twelve category sponsors including Spear Travels Ltd and sponsor of the winners’ champagne.

Tickets for the awards evening are selling fast and are available to reserve at www.skiptonbusinessawards.co.uk/tickets or emailing Wendy Lawson at sba@skiptonbusinessawards.co.uk.

The full shortlist is:

Best Health & Beauty Award sponsored by Barclays Bank Plc. Finalists:

Cream Skincare and Therapy Centre; Sitting Pretty; Skipton Slimming World.

Best Customer Service Award sponsored by Bizzie Lizzie's. Finalists: Kingsway Veterinary Practice; Spear Travels Ltd; Thornton Hall Country Park.

Best Manufacturer/Engineering Award sponsored by Bluefin Insurance Services. Finalists: Alan Northrop Label Printers Ltd; Hartleys Bedrooms; Norvap Ltd.

Best Apprentice Awards sponsored by Craven College. Finalists: Maariya Arshad –Unicorn Bed and Breakfast; Sophia Titorenko – Spear Travels Ltd; Tom Krupa – Bluefin Insurance Services.

Best Professional/Financial Services Award sponsored by Devonshire Hotels & Restaurants. Finalists: AWB Charlesworth LLP; CCP (The Centre for Crisis Psychology);

NFU Mutual Skipton.

Best Food & Drink Award sponsored by Keelham Farm Shop. Finalists: Cake ‘Ole; Class One Fresh Produce; Grassington House.

Best Market Stall Award sponsored by Skipton Market. Finalists: Pro Canvas Studio;

Nick Franklin Art.

Best Retailer sponsored by Spear Travels Ltd. Finalists: Magpie Midgley Motor Cars;

The Home Company.

Best Accommodation Award sponsored by The Rendezvous Hotel. Finalists: Beck Hall Hotel & Bistro; Devonshire Arms Hotel; Unicorn Bed and Breakfast

Best Leisure & Tourism Award sponsored by Windle Bowker. Finalists: Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway; Land Rover Experience North Yorkshire; Thornton Hall Country Park.

Overall Best Skipton Business Award sponsored by Tyro Training. Winner announce at the event.