THE shortlist has been announced for the 2024 Richmond Business Excellence Awards following deliberations by the Judging Panel.

The awards are organised by the Original Richmond Business and Tourism Association (ORBTA), in collaboration with The Company of Mercers, Grocers and Haberdashers of Richmond (Yorkshire) Guild.

Marcia McLuckie, chairman of the Judging Panel, expressed her pleasure in the number and quality of entries. She said: “It is heartening to see older independent businesses adapting and thriving in current trends and to see so many new independents setting up in the area.

“The entries have highlighted the wealth and diversity of businesses, from the very small to the very large, that we have on our doorstep. Coming to our conclusions has genuinely been extremely difficult. We had so many very deserving entries, including amongst the employees entered by their bosses.

"It is good to see the level of commitment, enterprise and hard work that people of all ages commit to their jobs and how much people really care about their customers”.

The awards will be presented by Baroness Harris of Richmond at a ceremony to be held in April.

She said: “I am delighted to have once again been invited to present the Richmond Business Excellence Awards. The economic challenges since the previous awards in 2022 haven’t gone away and indeed have probably increased.

“In that knowledge I feel that our local businesses have done a spectacular job in maintaining a presence and providing a fantastic commercial environment for our community. I congratulate you all for your resilience in challenging times and helping to keep Richmond the special place it is. Thank you all.

“We have a wonderful selection of independent businesses and I congratulate everyone who entered and especially those who have been shortlisted”.

Shortlist for Richmond’s Business Awards for Excellence 2024

Business Chameleon (sponsored by Kiss the Moon): BB in Finkle; Middlemoor Cottage Garden Plants; and The Station Cinema.

Best Customer Focus (sponsored by North Yorkshire Council): Holiday at Home; King Street Kitchen & Gift; and Purple Creative Studio.

Dennis Graves Award for Young Person of the Year (sponsored by Mocha): Toby Broderick, Mocha; Megan Dodds, The Station Café Bar; Julijia Kurme, YOLO; and Lauren Pearson, The Station Cinema.

Best New Business (sponsored by Zetland Estates): Kefi Textiles; Market Place Travel; and The Cheese Press.

Environmental Award (sponsored by Russell Lord and Freda Lord): DalesRunner; Middlemoor Cottage Garden Plants; and The Station.

Best Marketing (sponsored by Richmond Information Centre): Hannah Fretwell, The Station; Kiplin Hall and Gardens; and The Station Cinema.

Best Innovation (sponsored by The Herriot Country Tourism Group): Johnson Clark; Sip Coffee Mobile; and Trimble Group.

Best Employer (sponsored by Market Place Travel): Purple Creative Studio; YOLO.

Best One Person Business (sponsored by Matt Ball Architecture): Ginger Tree Holistic Skin Consultancy; Goosewing Studios; and Medieval Music in the Dales.

Outstanding Employee (sponsored by Richmond Rotary Club): Paul Gilpin, The Georgian Theatre Royal; Amy Lancaster, Richmond Golf Club; Tom Moss, The Station Café Bar; and Janine Walsh, Richmondshire Leisure Trust.