THE finalists for this year’s Ilkley Business Awards have been announced.

After five long hours and much deliberation the independent judging panel narrowed down entries to the successful finalists.

Both the committee and the judges were delighted with both the number and the quality of the entries which goes to show the passion and success for so many businesses in LS29.

The judges, Vicky Wainwright, Chris Allen, Ian Ward and James Mason said: "Once again we have been impressed with the strength and breadth of the entries.

"Exciting new businesses are complemented by long standing businesses, some of which are highly successful, both nationally and internationally."

The committee would like to pay special thanks to all the sponsors, both the category sponsors and the event sponsors.

Helen Rhodes, manager of joint headline sponsor Ilkley BID said: "Without all the generous sponsors, the awards which do so much to celebrate our local business community, would simply not take place."

The sponsors of the 2023 awards are: Bradford Council, Brooke Financial, Clip ‘n Climb, Elite Accountancy Services, Harrison Robinson Estate Agents, Holden Smith, Home Instead, Ideal Extraction Ltd, Ilkley Dental, Ilkley Town Council, LCF Law, LFW Podiatry, Parable Global, Tennant & Darragh Jewellery Workshop, The Craiglands Hotel, The Event Music Company, The Ilkley Shoe Company, The Valley Clinic, and our headline sponsors, Ilkley BID and Ilkley Business Forum.

The finalists for the Ilkley Business Awards 2023 are:

B2B Business of the Year: Elite Accountancy Services; SmartSearch; Parable Global

Best Boss of the Year: Zara Gonzalez – Galo’s Kitchen; Liz Blizzard – The Valley Clinic; Michelle Bartle – Dan’s Den

Eco-Friendly Business of the Year: Little Beau Sheep Ltd; Milestone Design Ltd; Waste Not

Established Business of the Year: SmartSearch; Home Instead Ilkley; Clip ‘n Climb Ilkley

Food & Drink Business of the Year: Galo’s Kitchen; Sachi’s Restaurant; Broadley’s Bistro & Wine Bar

Hair & Beauty Business of the Year: Indulgence Beauty Addingham; Luxe Beauty Lounge; Claire Wareham Hair & Beauty

Health & Wellness Business of the Year: Ilkley Lawn Tennis Club; The Valley Clinic; Space Fitness and Wellbeing

Leisure & Entertainment Business of the Year: Dillons Premium Fitness Training; One Tivoli Place Guest House; Clip ‘n Climb Ilkley

New Business of the Year: Jo Kirk Therapies; Joshua Adams Menswear; The Hearing Suite Ilkley

Outstanding Tradesperson of the Year: Green Cleaning Services; Helen Taylor Plants & Planting; Olicana Cleaning Services; AJ Taylor Building Services Ltd

Professional Services of the Year: Ashlands Veterinary Centre; Mark Your Occasion; Brooke Financial

Retailer of the Year: Burley Interiors; Lishman’s of Ilkley; Games Crusade; The Fitting Room

Rising Star Award of the Year: Joe Short of The Clarke Foley Centre; Victoria Morozova of Galo’s Kitchen; Katie Koral of Tennant & Darragh Jewellery Workshop

The winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner, on Friday, March 3, 2023 at The Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley.

All the remaining tickets have now been released, but they are selling fast. Follow the link from the website - https://ilkleybusinessawards.co.uk/ or email the committee: hello@ilkleybusinessawards.co.uk