The entries have been submitted, the judging done and now the tension and excitement starts as the finalists for this year’s Ilkley Business Awards are announced.

Four independent judges met in the Ilkley BID meeting room at the Ilkley Town Hall to go through the entries and after much deliberation the esteemed independent judging panel have narrowed down the entries to the successful finalists.

This year’s judges were:  Vicky Wainwright, Office Managing Partner of Azets in Bradford;  Chris Allen, Managing Partner of Blacks Solicitors in Leeds;  Susanne Marchant, Head of Enterprise Programmes at Leeds University Business School and Howard Martin, Chairman of Cullingworth Parish Council.

Chris Allen said  “Once again judging the applications has been both a difficult but inspirational experience. It is clear that Ilkley is a hot bed for entrepreneurial flair which compliments the town’s clear momentum to train the next generation of business owners. Well done to everyone who was nominated. They should all be proud of what they are doing to maintain the economic strength in Ilkley.”

The Ilkley Business Awards committee would like to pay special thanks to all the sponsors of the Ilkley Business Awards.  Without the support of all the generous sponsors, the Awards, which do so much to celebrate the local business community, would not take place.

The finalists for the Ilkley Business Awards 2024 are as follows:

Best Boss of the Year

Andrew Baxter – Enfields Wharfedale

Jacqui McGarry – Jacqui Mac Aesthetics

Lynda Forbes-Wake – FFW Podiatry

Rising Star Award of the Year 

Becky Lawson of Dan’s Den

Jack Harrison of Lishman’s of Ilkley

Liz Hibbett of The Valley Clinic

B2B Business of the Year

Elite Accountancy Services 

OnePay

Pi Healthcare

New Business of the Year

Beauty in Bloom

Enfields

Fusion Chocolate

Established Business of the Year

Burley Interiors Ltd

Esscroft Private Nursery

Halliday Clark Architects

Retailer of the Year 

Burley Interiors 

Floral Dance

Moss & Moor

Food & Drink Business of the Year

Fusion Chocolate

The Ilkley Cow

The Ilkley Kitchen

Hair & Beauty Business of the Year

Beauty in Bloom

Claire Wareham Hair Specialists 

Luxe Beauty Lounge 

Health & Wellness Business of the Year

Dillions Premium Fitness Training

LFW Podiatry

A Tidy Mind

Leisure & Entertainment Business of the Year

Clip ‘n Climb (Ilkley) Ltd

Myddelton Yoga

Professional Services of the Year

Ashlands Veterinary Centre 

Pi Healthcare

TaxAssist Accountants

Side Hustle Business of the Year

James Hall Coaching

Lulu’s Groom Room

MaxFly Drone Services

The successful winners will be announced at the glittering Gala Dinner, which takes place on Friday 1st March 2024 at The Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley. 

All the remaining tickets have now been released, but they are selling fast! Follow the link from the website to make sure you don’t miss out - https://ilkleybusinessawards.co.uk/ or email the committee: hello@ilkleybusinessawards.co.uk

It’s going to be a great night of celebration!