AN independent womenswear store in Ilkley and a popular Ilkley restaurant are in the running to be named Britain’s best after being nominated in the UK’s Favourite Local Business competition 2026.
The UK’s Favourite Local Business which receives the most nominations at lovelocalwin.co.uk in the competition will win a £1,000 Town & City Gift Card, such as the Ilkley Gift Card, with one person who nominated the winner receiving a £1,000 Town & City Gift Card.
Attic Womenswear was founded by Sarah Lyles in 2007 after deciding to pour her fashion industry experience into her own boutique, and is one of around 80 local businesses which accepts the Ilkley Gift Card, an initiative from Ilkley BID to support local businesses.
Sarah Lyles said: “It was always my dream to work in fashion, so I went to college in London to do a fashion management degree before going to work for a major high street retailer. When the time came to open my own independent boutique, Ilkley was the perfect place because it has a fantastic community. After five years, I moved to our current, bigger store at Crescent Courtyard. The shop features 50 brands from all over the world across two floors, including clothes, footwear and jewellery.
“It was my goal at Attic Womenswear to create a welcoming space of style, confidence and friendship for women. We’ve built a little family, and women know they can shop, have a chat and feel empowered in their style. Trust is a big part of that. Our team are amazing, and give advice that allows women to feel comfortable and be themselves.
“I think the key to running an independent womenswear store today is to be versatile and open to adapting your offering. We have clothing for all pockets, from affordable items through to high end pieces. It’s also about helping our customers to make the items they already have work harder in their wardrobe, perhaps buying pieces to work alongside what they already have. We have a small, hard-working team here at the store with a big heart and to feel that love in return by being nominated as the UK’s Favourite Local Business feels wonderful.
“The Ilkley Gift Card is a fantastic initiative that helps keep money local in our town. It’s easy for the recipient to spend with their chosen Ilkley businesses, and it’s easy for us to accept as a business.”
Another business nominated in the UK’s Favourite Local Business competition is The Ilkley Cow, a family business started by Robert Sypniewski who has a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry. Robert opened the Ilkley Cow in 2019, with wife Marina, son Ollie and daughter Maya joining the business too.
Robert Sypniewski said: “Ilkley stood out as an appealing place to build the business, with its beautiful scenery, strong community spirit and reputation as one of the best places to live in the UK. It offered the opportunity to bring our vision for a steakhouse to a town with its own distinct character.
“The Ilkley Cow has grown into an important part of our family life. Establishing the business in Ilkley has allowed us to combine our passion for hospitality with the opportunity to build something together as a family. Looking back, choosing Ilkley was a decision we have never regretted, and we are proud to call the town our home.
“From the outset, our aim was to create a welcoming steakhouse where people could enjoy good food and spend time together, whether celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a meal out. I think being nominated as the UK’s Favourite Local Business comes down to our independence, our commitment to local produce, and the personal touch we bring to every guest’s experience.
“We’re proud to be part of Ilkley’s local hospitality scene. For us, it’s about more than serving a great steak. It’s about creating memorable experiences, building relationships with our customers and giving people a reason to keep coming back.
“We love being part of the Ilkley Gift Card because it celebrates everything that makes our town special: its independent businesses, its community spirit and the people who choose to support them. It means a great deal to us when someone chooses to spend their gift card at The Ilkley Cow. We also love seeing customers use it as an opportunity to treat themselves to something they might not usually choose, whether that’s a bottle of wine from our premium selection or one of our more luxurious steak cuts.
“The gift card gives people another reason to explore the fantastic businesses Ilkley has to offer, while helping keep their spending within the local community. For us, it’s a brilliant way to encourage people to try something new, enjoy a special experience and discover more of what their town has to offer. Being part of the scheme is about more than accepting another form of payment, it’s about supporting a shared effort to keep Ilkley’s independent businesses thriving.”
Ilkley BID launched the Ilkley Gift Card in 2022 to provide tangible support for the business community.
Sarah Brookfield-Almond, Ilkley BID Manager, said: “Ilkley is known for its incredible independent businesses, and we’re thrilled to see two of them recognised in the national UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026 competition. Both Attic Womenswear and The Ilkley Cow are independent businesses working hard to bring something unique and special to our town and are both thoroughly deserving of the title as the UK’s best. Please take a moment to nominate your favourite local business in Ilkley for a chance of winning a £1,000 Ilkley Gift Card for yourself and the business to win just in time for Christmas.”
The Ilkley Gift Card is part of the multi-award winning Town & City Gift Cards initiative. Over 27,000 local businesses are part of Miconex’s local gift card programs around the world with over £69m of cards sold to date.
Colin Munro, CEO of Miconex, said: “The Ilkley Gift Card is the ultimate ‘shop local’ Gift Card. As we approach the key Christmas trading period, the UK’s Favourite Local Business is a timely reminder of the importance of supporting the local businesses who power our high streets. Buying the Ilkley Gift Card or nominating a business to be the UK’s best are simple ways to show your support for local this festive season.”
Enter the UK’s Favourite Local Business competition free at: www.lovelocalwin.co.uk until the 30th November 2026.
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