THE shortlist for the second annual Ilkley Business Awards has been announced this week.

The independent judges gathered and poured over 70 entries to create a shortlist to honour excellence in the town.

The shortlist includes: Independent retailer – The Art Shop, Ashworth & Tennant, Poppy Red; Hospitality business – Bistro Saigon, The Wheatley Arms, The Yard; Green Business - Green Clean Housekeeping, Real Food Ilkley; Health and Beauty Business – Dillons Premium Fitness Training, Harvey and Co, Valley Clinic; Professional Services - Angus Roberts, LCF Law, Wintersgill Associates; New business – Bridal PA, Fibre and Hide, Ilkley Cinema,

Small Business – Approach PR, Green Clean Housekeeping; Micro Business - Addingham Fruit Liqueurs, Jenni Smith Ltd, Shoo Social Media; Large Business - 24/7 Nursing, Spooner Industries Ltd, Virtual College; Apprentice/Trainee - Jess Darragh – Ashworth & Tennant, Emma Garvey – Ilkley Moor Medical Practice, Jonathan Brown – The Wheatley Arms; Employee - Rebekah White - Approach PR, Kelly Hand - LCF Law, Peter Marshall - Wintersgill Associates; Business Personality - Suzanne Watson - Approach PR, Jenni Smith – Jenni Smith Ltd, Paula Connor – Real Food Ilkley. The Winner of Winners will also be announced on the evening.

A spokesman for Ilkley Business Awards said: "As well as the shortlist, the time to vote for your favourite Ilkley business has been extended. The Ilkley Business Awards are looking for nominations for the People’s Choice Award!

"Do you know a business who goes above and beyond for customer service? Perhaps you have been receiving consistent excellent service for the past 20 years? Or you have been impressed by a new start up in the town.

"The People’s Choice will now be closing on 31st January 2017. To enter simply send 200 words (or less) about your favourite Ilkley business to Ilkleybusinessawards@gmail.com."

Ilkley Business Awards takes place at the King's Hall and Winter Gardens on February 24 2017. The awards have attracted the attention of many local businesses who have supported the awards by sponsoring categories and contributing to the judging process. These include headline sponsor Sarah Siddons Financial Planning, the Ilkley Business Forum, Wheatley Arms, Hunters, Barclays, U Dentistry, Spooner Industries, Box Tree restaurant, Denton Hall, Ilkley BNI, Erica Berry, Pinnacle, Approach PR, The Alternative Board, LCF, and Angus Roberts.

The awards have been driven by Ilkley Business Forum members and supported by the Ilkley Parish Council and were created to celebrate the achievements of the small one man band and the large employers in the area.

Tickets are available www.ilkleybusinessawards.co.uk or join the conversation at #IBA17.