JUDGES in the Skipton Business Awards say they have been working through a record number of entries before settling on a recently-announced shortlist.

They have chosen three finalists per category for what is the third annual awards, which is organised by Skipton Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

The judging panel is made up of independent experts from the local business community. In a statement, judges said: “Once again, the standard of entries in all categories was extremely high, showcasing what a brilliant raft of business we have in the Skipton area.

“In several categories it was very difficult to choose a clear winner and this is underlined by the judges requesting an unprecedented ‘highly commended’ to be added to one category.”

The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony which will take place at the Rendezvous Hotel in Skipton on Thursday, April 25, starting at 6.30pm.

One of the businesses nominated for an award is information technology firm Verus Solutions, whose managing director Paul Roach said: “We are really pleased to have been selected as a finalist in the ‘best customer service’ category.

“There are lots of enterprising and successful businesses in the Skipton area, and it’s been our pleasure to provide IT services to support many of these businesses over the last 10 years.

“We pride ourselves on friendly, honest and reliable IT support, and customer service is of the utmost importance to us, so it’s great to have been shortlisted and for our efforts to have been recognised in this way.

“ We’re up against some tough competition though, so it will be interesting to hear the judges final decision at the awards evening.”

The awards are backed by Skipton BID, which is the headline sponsor, and which was at the forefront of funding the awards when they started, as well as various category sponsors.

The redesigned website this year was funded by Skipton Building Society, while trophies and other costs are met by donations from businesses. Tickets for the evening event are £40 each, available at:skiptonbusinessawards.co.uk

Categories, sponsors and finalists for the 2019 awards are as follows:

Best Accommodation

Sponsored by Jelf Insurance

Bailey BnB

Black Horse, Grassington

Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa

Best Apprentice/Trainee

Sponsored by High Corn Mill

Carly Sharp, Coffee Care (N.C.) Ltd

Chloe Green, Craven District Council

Izzy Booth, Benjamin Opticians

Best B2B Supplier/Wholesaler

Sponsored by Windle & Bowker

Coffee Care (N.C.) Ltd

Dalesman Publishing

Fortem People Limited

Best Customer Service

Sponsored by Bizzie Lizzie's

Grassington House

Thornton Hall Country Park

Verus Solutions

Best Fitness Health & Beauty

Sponsored by Aspire Magazine

Benjamin Opticians

Crossgates Health, Hair & Beauty

Jetts Fitness

Best Food & Drink

Sponsored by Rendezvous Hotel

Bizzie Lizzie’s

Black Horse, Grassington

Grassington House

Best Leisure & Tourism Award

Sponsored by Spear Travels

Hesketh Farm Park

Skipton Boat Trips

Thornton Hall Country Park

Best Manufacturer & Engineering

Sponsored by Shepherd Partnership

Chelker Technology Ltd

Hartleys Bedrooms

John Binns & Son (Springs) Ltd

Best Market Stall

Sponsored by Skipton Market

Borders Wholesale

Handmade Pet Bed & Soft Furnishing

Pro Canvas Studio

Best New Business

Sponsored by AWB Charlesworth Solicitors

Clubhouse Coffee & Cycles

DeBec Private Hire

Elsworth Kitchen

Best Professional/Financial Services

Sponsored by Skipton Building Society

AKA PR

Centre For Crisis Psychology

Fortem People Limited

Best Retailer

Sponsored by Barclays Bank PLC

Just … By The Bridge

Midgley Motor Cars Grassington Garage

Present Planners

Best Recommended - Skipton Visitors’ Choice (Skipton Town Guide)

Sponsored by Rendezvous Hotel

Bae Chique Ltd

Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa

The Growling Shrew