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And the winners are...

24 March 2017

And the winners are…

The brightest stars of the Skipton business community were honoured at a sparkling awards ceremony at the Rendezvous Hotel last week.

The inaugural Skipton Business Awards, organised by Skipton Chamber of Trade & Commerce, brought together companies big and small to celebrate those who are really helping the local economy thrive.

The beautifully laid-out Malham Suite in the Rendezvous Hotel saw more than 230 members of the business community seated for the show, with the atmosphere a mix of excitement, hope and geniality.

Thornton Hall Country Park was named Overall Winner, having earlier picked up the Best Leisure and Tourism Award, and a Special Chamber Award was made to Skipton Building Society in recognition of its long-running connection to the chamber and its huge contribution to the area.

Chamber President Billy Moffatt said: “We couldn’t have been happier with how well it went. All the tables were full, the event ran smoothly and most importantly everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

“To see the looks on the faces of the winners really made all the hard work worthwhile.

“We are hoping to make the awards and annual event, and it’s clear from the sheer numbers of entrants and guests on the night that the desire for it is there

“The Chamber would like to thank all our sponsors including Headline sponsor Andrew Mear, Foundation funder Skipton BID, Associate sponsors The Pentelow Practice and The Mill Shop and champagne sponsor The Shepherd Partnership, also everyone who helped out and of course everyone who took time to enter.”

There was hushed excitement as host for the night Duncan Lewis read out the first category, with Midgley Motors picking up the Best Retailer award.

Other winners were as diverse as veterinary and medical supplies manufacturer Norvap Ltd, Sitting Pretty beauty salon and Class One fresh fruit and vegetable wholesalers.

There was also surprise award for Hazel Maxfield, a chamber stalwart who has been a member for 45 years and on the board for almost as many.

In all nearly 90 businesses entered the awards, with the shortlist and winners chosen by judges Victoria Robertshaw (Keelham Farm), Alison Davies (Skipton Building Society), Helen Clarke (Barclays Bank), Debi Hawkins (Cancer Support Yorkshire) and Matt Cornish (Tyro Training). Headline Sponsor Andrew Mear of High Corn Mill presented judges with a thank you gift in recognition of the time they gave up to work through so many entries and select winners.

Full list of winners:

Best Health & Beauty Award, Sponsored by Barclays Bank Plc
Winner: Sitting Pretty
Finalists: Cream Skincare and Therapy Centre, Skipton Slimming World

Best Customer Service Award, Sponsored by Bizzie Lizzie's
Winner: Spear Travels Ltd
Finalists: Kingsway Veterinary Practice, Thornton Hall Country Park

Best Manufacturer/Engineering Award, Sponsored by Bluefin Insurance Services
Winner: Norvap Ltd
Finalists: Alan Northrop Label Printers Ltd, Hartleys Bedrooms

Best Apprentice Award, Sponsored by Craven College
Winner: Tom Krupa – Bluefin Insurance Services
Finalists: Maariya Arshad – Unicorn Bed and Breakfast, Sophia Titorenko – Spear Travels Ltd

Best Professional/Financial Services Award, Sponsored by Devonshire Hotels & Restaurants
Winner: CCP (The Centre for Crisis Psychology)
Finalists: AWB Charlesworth LLP, NFU Mutual Skipton

Best Food & Drink Award, Sponsored by Keelham Farm Shop
Joint winners: Class One Fresh Produce, Grassington House
Finalist: The Cake ‘Ole

Best Market Stall Award, Sponsored by Skipton Market
Winner: Pro Canvas Studio
Finalists Nick Franklin Art

Best Retailer Award, Sponsored by Spear Travels Ltd
Winner: Midgley Motor Cars
Finalists: Magpie, The Home Company

Best Accommodation Award, Sponsored by The Rendezvous Hotel
Winner: Beck Hall Hotel & Bistro
Finalists: The Devonshire Arms Hotel, Unicorn Bed and Breakfast

Best Leisure & Tourism Award, Sponsored by Windle & Bowker Ltd
Winner: Thornton Hall Country Park
Finalists: Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, Land Rover Experience North Yorkshire

Overall Best Skipton Business Award, Sponsored by Tyro Training
Winner: Thornton Hall Country Park

More images from the night available here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/148116502@N06/5a21bN

Image credit: Stephen Garnett, Stephen Garnett Photography