Richmondshire District Council has agreed to become the joint main sponsor of new business awards which celebrate the variety and quality of businesses in Richmond and the surrounding area, along with the people who run and work in them.
The Original Richmond Business and Tourism Association (ORBTA) has joined forces with The Company of Mercers, Grocers and Haberdashers of Richmond (Yorkshire) to launch the new, annual business awards scheme.
Richmondshire District Council has now also agreed to lend financial support to getting the awards off the ground.
Jamie Edgar, clerk to the Company of Mercers, Grocers and Haberdashers of Richmond, Yorkshire, has welcomed their involvement.
“The company is delighted to be involved in the inaugural Business Excellence Awards – 2020 promoting Business, Tourism and their employees in Richmondshire, with the Original Richmond Business and Tourism Association.”
He added: “The earliest recorded minutes of the Mercers, Grocers and Haberdashers in 1580, indicate a strong trade association, established to promote, train and assist its members.
“Whilst the exact nature and purpose of the company has evolved over the years, these strong values are as relevant today as they were 440 years ago.
“This underlines that whilst time moves on, good value and exemplary service will always ensure successful businesses will continue to thrive.”
Councillor Angie Dale, leader of Richmondshire District Council, said: “Richmond has a wealth of great businesses and great people working for them, so we welcome these awards scheme to highlight their work.
“We look forward to being part of the celebrations to mark the best the town has to offer.”
Marcia McLuckie, chair of the Original Richmond and Business and Tourism Association appreciates the financial help being given.
“We are very grateful to Richmondshire District Council and the Company of Mercers, Grocers and Haberdashers for giving us the support to establish and run these new awards for Richmond”.
Business people are invited to enter the awards on their own behalf and may also nominate other businesses.
The public are also invited to put forward their choices for consideration for the awards.
The awards will open for applications on the Original Richmond Business and Tourism Association website this Wednesday, January 15 and close at midnight February 26.
There are 15 categories to choose from and more than one category may be entered by a business.
Categories
Best Market Stall sponsored by Richmond Town Council
Best New Business (1 – 5 Employees) McClarrons
Employee of the Year Sponsored by Rotary Club of Richmond
Employer of the Year Sponsored by Rotary Club of Richmond
Hospitality Award (less than equivalent 10 full-time Employees) Sponsored by Mad Hatter Tea
Hospitality Award (more than equivalent 10+ full-time Employees) Sponsored by Purple Creative Studios
Installers and Repairers Sponsored by Zetland Estates
Professional Services sponsored by Richmondshire Today
Tourism, Leisure and the Arts Sponsored by Richmond Round Table
Trade Suppliers Sponsored by McLuckie Projects
Categories still available to sponsor are: Media Services; Personal Services; Health and Leisure; Retail Food; Retail Non-Food.
To find out more about becoming a sponsor please contact vhair of ORBTA, Marcia McLuckie on 01748 825525/07740 927 608.
Sponsors of the individual categories will receive publicity on the ORBTA website and in all media activities, as well as a couple of tickets to the awards ceremony and having the award plaque for their chosen category engraved with their name.
The judges will decide from the 15 category winners the ‘best of the best’ and present the annual David Doorbar Award to the winning business.
The awards will be presented at a ceremony to be held at The Kings Head Hotel in Richmond on Wednesday, March 25 with drinks and canapes reception followed by the presentations in the ballroom.
The evening is to be compered by well-known local radio broadcaster, James Wilson.
To enter your business, your employer or an employee or to enter someone else’s business into the 2020 awards please visit www.originalrichmond.co.uk and go to the Business Awards tab.
