25 November 2016
Six weeks remain to enter the Skipton Business Awards 2017
As Christmas approaches and less than two months remain before entry closes for Skipton Business Awards 2017, applications are still welcome for Skipton Business Awards 2017. Spearheaded by the Skipton Chamber of Trade and Commerce, which is celebrating 120 years of championing businesses in the town, the awards are backed by Skipton BID and Associate sponsors along with individual category sponsors.
Not limited to Chamber members, entry is open to any business with a Skipton BD23 postcode up to the deadline of Monday 16 January 2017, 12 noon; now only six weeks away! The award ceremony dinner on Thursday 23 March at The Rendezvous Hotel will celebrate the success of the winners and showcase the nominees and runners-up.
In previous weeks the first six categories have been expanded upon; Best Market Stall, Best Health & Beauty, Best Apprentice/Trainee, Best Food and Drink, Best Retailer and Best Leisure and Tourism; this week the focus is on the next six, which make up the twelve awards available to win:
Best Manufacturer/Engineering Business
An opportunity to hear from the sector of business not always obvious to visitors of Skipton; based on the business and industrial estates there are businesses providing cutting edge advancements in manufacturing and engineering; some with a worldwide reach. It is hoped that they will all take this chance to take part and shout out about their innovation and expertise.
Best Accommodation
Skipton is a destination of choice for many visitors; this category is open to bunk barns, B&Bs and guest houses to luxury hotels. Entries can be received from anyone providing hospitality that champions Skipton as a fabulous tourist destination. The judges will look for ways in which the entrants makes visitors feel especially welcome and can provide two examples of feedback from customers to highlight how much they enjoyed their stay.
Best Customer Service
This category is probably open to most businesses. At a time when customers can source their products from far and wide and be tempted by distant, online businesses, excellence in customer service can often override the decision based on price for the consumer. Skipton on the whole can be proud of the wonderful customer service it offers customers. Entry is available to all businesses; if you are unsure of how a business can fit in any of the other categories; don’t miss out, the judges would love to hear how customer service is celebrated.
Best Professional/Financial Services
Not exclusive to solicitors and accountants; this category is open to all businesses who provide a service to other business, including business supplies and services. Entrants for this award should outline excellence in business management under-pinned by a strong financial performance.
Special Chamber Award
This award is a 120th Anniversary special award chosen by the exec board of Skipton Chamber of Trade and Commerce. Throughout the year they will be looking at businesses that have a long-established link with the Chamber and a presence in the town; individuals with a long association with Skipton’s businesses and are recognised as a ‘go to’ advisor for many. Suggestions are invited from the public to assist this process; email chamber@skiptononline.co.uk between now and the closing date for entries.
Overall winner, Business of the Year
Which Skipton business will be ‘Business of the Year’, the overall winner of the first Skipton Business Awards? The winner of this award will be chosen by the judges and selected from the winners and nominees across the categories.
Wendy Lawson, coordinator for the awards explained, ‘Entries are being received most days as we approach the closing date and we’ve received entries for most categories. However, we’re still awaiting entries in three of the awards; Best Apprentice/Trainee, Best Market Stall and Best Accommodation.’
Entries can be submitted online, via the ‘Entry’ section of www.skiptonbusinessawards.co.uk; or anyone preferring to email entries should contact Wendy Lawson, sba@skiptonbusinessawards.co.uk Download the entry pack here:
Skipton Chamber of Trade & Commerce
Skipton Town Hall
High Street
Skipton
North Yorkshire
BD23 1FD
01756 700100 Rendezvous Hotel
01756 700553 Skipton Town Council
Please leave a message for the Chamber at one of the above numbers and a member of the Chamber Executive committee will respond at the earliest opportunity.