THERE was standing room only when Otley Chamber of Trade held the town’s first Business Awards last month.

More than 90 people, representing some 60 local firms, turned up at Korks Wine Bar for the event.

Among the winners were Althams Travel Services and the Cheerful Chilli, who picked up the Good Service and Good Cafe Awards, respectively.

Both businesses had been nominated by members of the public with the cafes then being visited by independent ‘secret shoppers’, and the prize presentations held back until the Business Awards night.

The other winners were: Best Newcomer – A Casa Di Alessia; Best Food & Drink – Jewel Of India; Success for Innovation – Blue Octopus; Best Service Sector – Rest Assured; Best Retail – Chevin Cycles; Best Small Business – The Traditional Sweet Shop; Best Large Business – Bondgate Bakery.

A special lifetime achievement award was also presented to Trevor Backhouse of Patisserie Viennoise, who has been an active chamber member for 30 years and served as president three times.

A chamber spokesman said: “Trevor now takes a back seat within the chamber after 30 years of involvement, during which he held the presidency on three occasions whilst building his chocolate empire from his ‘theatre of confections’, Patisserie Viennoise, on Westgate.”

The awards ceremony was preceded by the organisation’s annual general meeting, at which outgoing president Alan Sowden handed over the chains of office to Tom Hatley.

The chamber would like to thank everyone who helped the event happen, including: Rachelle Atkin from Yorkshire Marketing Company, Jenni Small from Jenni’s Dresser, Chris Payne from Korks Wine Bar, Alex Hird from Shoecraft, Craig Mason from Yorkshire Floorcraft, Katie Burnett from Courtyard Planters, Adelle and James Mather from Your First Smile, and Otley BID, which underwrote the cost of staging the night.

Special thanks was also expressed to new president Mr Hatley, of Christopher Little & Co, for organising and compering the ceremony.

The inaugural awards were part of the chamber’s continuing drive to reach out to new areas of the business community.