Ilkley Brewery is one of the great success stories of the town, and the fact that it is thriving after five years in business is certainly something to be celebrated.

When the company was launched in 2009, the country was in the grip of one of the worst financial downturns in living memory – doubtless the founders of the brewery were told many times by many people that starting a new business in such a climate was madness.

But quality will out, and Ilkley Brewery not only survived but rode the crest of the wave of the trend for microbreweries – and to coincide with its anniversary is launching its 1,000th ale.

Perhaps the size of the company is one of the driving forces of its success.

At a time when the big breweries and pub management companies are closing down pubs across the country, the personal touch of small breweries such as Ilkley seem to engender customer loyalty that the multi-national corporations simply can’t match.

Managing director Chris Ives points to a team effort in making Ilkley Brewery a success – both hard-working staff and loyal customers.

It’s a winning combination that should form a blueprint for anyone who wants to run a business, big or small. Looking after your workforce and listening to your customers is a surefire way to do it right.

Because we’re all so proud of what Ilkley Brewery has achieved, we’ve teamed up with them to offer a free drink to all our readers. You’ll find the coupon on page three.

Enjoy, and here’s to the next five years of a great local success story.

Stopping trend of parts thefts

As people get wise to the habits of criminals and come up with ways of protecting their home and belongings, the criminals are usually thinking ahead too.

Car crime is hardly a new idea, but it appears a new pattern has emerged, based specifically on stealing parts from 4x4 vehicles, which are then sold on the secondhand market.

Many owners of these vehicles may not have been aware this is on the increase.

Luckily, police have spotted the trend, and are taking action now to stamp out the trade – or at the very least make it difficult for the thieves.

But while spot checks and investigating those selling or fitting the parts may catch some of the criminals, there is much that be done by car owners themselves to foil the thieves.

So as the police do their job, it stands the greatest chance of success when members of the public also get involved, share information – and look at their own security.