Spectacular Awards Highlights Keighley Business Success

Keighley Business Awards Results

Keighley Business Awards has unveiled the 2014 winners at a glamorous awards event held last Friday (May 16) at Victoria Hall, Keighley.

The winners and runners up were presented with their accolades during a black tie ceremony which was attended by over 220 guests and hosted by BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration.

The winners and runners up are:

Independent Retailer of the Year sponsored by Airedale Shopping Centre was awarded to Airedale Opticians with Musicians Centre highly commended

Apprentice/trainee of the Year sponsored by Hayfield Robinson went to Christopher Cooper from AWB Charlesworth Solicitors with Jemma Sargeant – Hairavanti receiving runner up

Food & Drink Business of the Year sponsored by Fenetic Wellbeing was awarded to Shimla Spice Restaurant with Amici Restaurant named as runner up

Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by HSBC winner was Strawberry Fields and the runner up was The Fenetic Trading Company

Employer of the Year sponsored by Keybury was awarded to Airedale Springs with Williscroft & Co Solicitors highly commended

New Business of the Year sponsored by Airedale Enterprise Services was awarded to Lavender Fields Emporium & Tea Room with Buff Beauty Bar coming in as runners up

Manufacturing Business of the Year sponsored by NatWest Bank was won by Powerrun with Airedale Springs as runners up

Small Business of the Year sponsored by Keighley News was awarded to Williscroft & Co Solicitors and Swim Stars came in as runners up

Health & Beauty Business sponsored by Leeds City College was awarded to The Fenetic Trading Company with Airedale Opticians named runner up

Large Business of the Year sponsored by Clough & Co went to Airedale Springs with Timothy Taylors & Co Ltd highly commended

• The ultimate award of the night, Business of the Year sponsored by Advanced Group, was awarded to Airedale Springs.

The event was hailed a success by everyone involved including The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Coun Susan Hinchcliff, Harry Gration, Coun Graham Mitchell, Keighley MP Kris Hopkins and every one of the sponsors. During his presentation, Harry Gration said it was an honour to have been asked to host the Keighley Business Awards and that it was ‘a privilege and pleasure to highlight the achievements of Keighley businesses.’ He followed the event with a tweet: ‘@harrylooknorth: Brilliant night at the #Keighley business awards. Lovely folk. Really enjoyed it. Cheered me up!! @KeighleyBA’.

Chris Woodhead from head sponsors, Advanced Group, said: “The awards really shows that Keighley’s ‘got it’, whether it’s hairdressing or engineering, and that it can go further.”

Philip Smith, chairman of the organising committee said: “We’re only into our second year with the awards but there has already been a massive increase of entries, tickets sales and sponsorship this year, which goes to show that this event is much needed in the area. We are now calling for anyone interested in sponsoring next year’s event to get in touch.”

The event steering group is a collaboration of local organisations, bringing a wide range of expertise together to ensure the event is a success and one that will grow year-on-year. It includes; Airedale Enterprise Services; Airedale Shopping CentreBingley Chamber of Trade and Commerce; CB Digital PR; Clough and Company Chartered Accountants; Hayfield Robinson; Keighley News; Keighley Town Centre Association and Puddle Digital.

For further information and updates follow @KeighleyBA on twitter.