LOCAL businesses attended the launch of the Ilkley Business Awards for 2023 on Wednesday at The Craiglands Hotel where this year’s categories were announced.

Alongside the regular categories, some amendments have been made which the committee think better reflect the business sectors in the town. There has also been the introduction of an Eco-Friendly Business Of The Year category which is being sponsored by Ilkley Town Council who declared a climate emergency in 2019 with an aim for the town to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Entries are now open for the following: B2B Business Of The Year; Best Boss; Best Trades Person; Eco-Friendly Business Of The Year; Established Business Of The Year; Food & Drink Business Of The Year; Hair & Beauty Business Of The Year; Health & Wellness Business Of The Year; Leisure & Entertainment Business Of The Year; New Business Of The Year; Professional Services Business Of The Year; Retail Business Of The Year; Rising Star.

Entries can be made by either completing a form which can be downloaded from the website and emailed to entries@ilkleybusinessawards.co.uk or by voice or video recording which again can be emailed or can be sent to a dedicated WhatsApp number of 07437 504614. Further details are on the website www.ilkleybusinessawards.co.uk and entries close at midnight on Friday 2nd December.

The evening was also a success in terms of businesses signing up for sponsorship and the current list of local businesses who are supporting the awards includes Clip n Climb Ilkley, Event Music Company, Harrison Robinson Estate Agents, LCF Law, LFW Podiatry, Tennant & Darragh Jewellery Workshop, The Ilkley Shoe Company and The Valley Clinic with the Ilkley Business Forum and Ilkley BID as joint headline sponsors.

Committee member Jessica MacGregor from Piper House Ltd said: “We’ve kept the category sponsorship at £450 which is very competitive compared to many Awards but we also offer various event sponsorship options at £395. As well as allowing us to put on a fabulous event, this also gives us the opportunity to promote even more businesses which is what this is all about”.

Ilkley Gazette: Soul & Co, one of last year’s winners with sponsor Ilkley BID. L – R Nabin Maharjan, Nicola Holmes and Ian WhiteSoul & Co, one of last year’s winners with sponsor Ilkley BID. L – R Nabin Maharjan, Nicola Holmes and Ian White

Soul and Co were one of last year’s winners and Nicola Holmes, co-owner, said: “Soul & Co is a proud member of the local business community and works to actively engage with the initiatives and activities in the surrounding area. The Ilkley Business Awards is a wonderful way to raise your profile and to celebrate your company and team achievements, and those of your fellow local business owners. We were honoured and humbled to receive the award this year and after a long hiatus on events it was fantastic to have the chance to come together in person for the awards dinner. A huge thanks to the organisers for all their work behind the scenes and good luck to everyone entering.”

Anyone interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact the committee by email – hello@ilkleybusinessawards.co.uk

Tickets for the Awards dinner on Friday 3rd March 2023 are now on sale via the website priced at £49 each – www.ilkleybusinessawards.co.uk