Presentations for this year’s Richmond Business Excellence Awards were made at an evening event hailed as a celebration of the town's “hard working, committed and fabulous” business owners, employees, event organisers and volunteers.

The awards are organised by the Original Richmond Business and Tourism Association (ORBTA), with help and financial support from The Company of Mercers, Grocers and Haberdashers of Richmond (Yorkshire).

The ceremony, held at The Station Café Bar, included a reception for all shortlisted entrants. Tom Rose, Master of the Mercers, was compère for the evening and Baroness Harris of Richmond presented the prizes, aided by Marcia McLuckie BEM.

The prestigious David Doorbar Award for Excellence was presented by Faye Doorbar to Toby Trimble, the Director of Trimble Group, who also won the award for Best Innovation.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The prestigious David Doorbar Award for Excellence was presented by Faye Doorbar to Toby Trimble, the Director of Trimble Group, who also won the award for Best Innovation – Picture: Chris Booth

The Richmond Beacon Award, sponsored by Irvings Sales and Lettings, was presented to Christine Swift to mark her retirement after many years of running the much-loved York House.

James Gravenor and Gill Page were both presented with Spirit of the Community Awards, sponsored by The Company of Fellmongers, for all they do to promote Richmond and attract people to the town.

Services to Richmond Awards were presented to volunteer-run Richmond Information Centre and to Mick Kirk, recently retired from Angus Morton Butchers.

The One and Only Award was presented to Just the Job, a local charity and social enterprise which provides a unique service in Richmond by co-ordinating meaningful work-based activities for individuals requiring help and support to achieve their full potential in life.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The One and Only Award was presented to Just the Job

Almost 100 guests attended the awards. Baroness Harris said: “It was another wonderful evening at the Richmond Business Excellence Awards. I was absolutely delighted to be asked, once again, to present the awards to our fantastic small business community.

“It always amazes me that in this challenging and difficult time for any business, here in the Richmond area we have a plethora of hard working, committed and fabulous people who are determined to provide us with excellent goods and services.

"We had many more entries than we had awards to give, but you all deserve to be celebrated for the outstanding businesses you provide. Thank you – from all our local communities for the great innovation, quality and diversity you offer – and may 2024 be a successful year for you all.”

The recipients of Richmond’s Business Excellence Awards were:

Business Chameleon, sponsored by Kiss the Moon: Winner: BBinFinkle; Highly Commended: Middlemoor Cottage Garden Plants and The Station Cinema.

Best Customer Focus, sponsored by North Yorkshire Council: Winner: King Street Kitchen & Gift; Highly Commended: Holiday at Home and Purple Creative Studio.

The Dennis Graves Award for Young Person of the Year, sponsored by Mocha: Winner: Toby Broderick of Mocha; Highly Commended: Megan Dodds of The Station Café|Bar, Julija Kurme of YOLO and Lauren Pearson of The Station Cinema.

Best Employer, sponsored by Market Place Travel: Winner: Allan Guy and Phil Upton of Purple Creative Studio; Highly Commended: YOLO.

Environmental Award, sponsored by Russell Lord and Freda Lord: Winner: Middlemoor Cottage Garden Plants; Highly Commended: DalesRunner and The Station.

Best Marketing, sponsored by Richmond Information Centre: Winners: Kiplin Hall and Gardens and The Station Cinema; Highly Commended: Hannah Fretwell of The Station.

Outstanding Employee, sponsored by Richmond Rotary Club: Winner: Amy Lancaster of Richmond Golf Club; Highly Commended: Paul Gilpin of The Georgian Theatre Royal, Thomas Moss of The Station Café|Bar and Janine Walsh of Richmondshire Leisure Trust.

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

Best New Business, sponsored by Zetland Estates: Winner: The Cheese Press; Highly Commended: Kefi Textiles and Market Place Travel.

Best Innovation, sponsored by The Herriot Country Tourism Group: Winner: Trimble Group; Highly Commended: JohnsonClark and Sip Coffee Mobile.

The David Doorbar Award for Excellence: Winner: Trimble Group; Highly Commended: Ginger Tree Holistic Skin Consultancy, King Street Kitchen and Gift and The Cheese Press.

The One to Watch Award, sponsored by North Yorkshire Council: Winner: DalesRunner.

The One and Only Award: Winner: Just the Job.

Services to Richmond Award: Winners: Richmond Information Centre and Mick Kirk.

Star Awards, sponsored by Richmond Rotary Cub: Winners: Megan Dodds of the Station Café|Bar, Paul Gilpin of the Georgian Theatre Royal and Thomas Moss of The Station Café|Bar.

Spirit of the Community Awards, sponsored by The Company of Fellmongers: Winners: James Gravenor and Gill Page.

Richmond Beacon Award: Winner: Christine Swift.

ORBTA and The Company of Mercers, Grocers and Haberdashers extend their thanks to everyone who entered this year’s awards. They also offer their appreciation to the sponsors of individual awards, members of the Judging Panel and to Baroness Harris of Richmond and Tom Rose for their support at the awards ceremony.