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
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