Butchers, bakers and stained glass makers were among the talented Lancashire winners at this year’s Ribble Valley Business Awards.
The prestigious awards took place last week and saw small businesses, pubs, attractions and more receive special recognition.
Over 250 guests attended the event at Mytton Fold Hotel in Langho, comprising of finalists, sponsors, supporters and volunteers.
Clitheroe based magician Colin Green "wowed" guests with his fabulous tricks and jokes, and event pianist, Simon McClure, entertained the room throughout the three course dinner.
19 different award categories were contested, with some having more than 50 entries which had been whittled down to just three finalists.
The main award of the evening, the Beacon Award, was presented to the most inspiring entry across all categories at the end of the ceremony. It went to Daniel Burke and the team at Clitheroe’s Lightworks Stained Glass.
The business is a professional stained glass studio specialising in the design and production of bespoke, high-end private commissions.
They also conserve and restore historic glass and glazing.
Clayton-le-Dale farm and attraction, Mrs Dowson's Farm, also stole the show scooping both the Medium Business and Best Family Business awards.
The family-run business always has events taking place, from ‘lambing live’ to their winter horror event, Scare Kingdom.
Amanda Dowson, co-owner of Mrs Dowson's, said: “It was emotional to be honest and to be recognised in the locality was brilliant.
“It was so special to win the ‘Family Business Award’ as that is at the heart of everything we do and it was very much appreciated from the whole family.
“We bring an awful lot of people to the Ribble Valley from all over the world. When we host Scare Kingdom we bring people from Australia and Germany on a regular basis.”
The farm has also attracted the attention of celebrity guests; Britain’s biggest family, The Radfords, and former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan have visited the farm in the past.
Amanda added: “Celebs love it here and really get their children involved.
“After lockdown, we are just trying to bring some normality back to these children, both young and old. It’s all about getting back to the outdoors.”
Roy Porter Butchers on Bridge Road in Chatburn won Best Independent Retailer.
Owner Anne Ingham said: “I think we are quite a unique little butchers shop and we are so proud and pleased to have won the award.
“I have put my life’s work in the shop and I have been working here for 35 years – it’s like a life’s work.”
Anne said their quality and unique meat selection may have helped them to secure the award.
She said: “We can trace where all of our meat comes from and we make everything ourselves, including pies and sausages… we even cure our own bacon.
“We also tend to sell rare breed cattle which is full of flavour.
“We are quite traditional yet trying to be a little modern as well. We try to please our customers and sell the products they actually want.”
The Black Bull Inn on Old Langho Road said they are “absolutely over the moon” with their Best Hospitality win.
They said: “We are completely overwhelmed by our win at the Ribble Valley Business Awards this week.
"Not only did we have a cracking night with some great people, but we won our category for best hospitality.
“A big thank you to all supporters of the Bull - we can't do it without you! And a massive thank you to our whole team - we adore our Bull family and the hard work they put in every single day.”
Bowland Retreat Lodges in Great Mitton were named Best New Business.
They said: “We are absolutely thrilled to win the New Business Category at the Ribble Valley Business Awards this evening!
“Pleasure to be in the company of some fabulous businesses. Well done to all finalists, sponsors and organisers, a great event.”
Here is a full list of winners:
Ribble valley Business Awards organiser, Rachel Kay, said:"We were absolutely delighted to be able to celebrate together again following a long hiatus due to Covid.
“We're very grateful to our sponsors for supporting the event, our volunteers for helping it happen, and our nominees for entering.
“There was a real buzz in the room and our winners were clearly made up. Huge congratulations to them all.
“Each one of our finalists should be incredibly proud of themselves for making the shortlist. We had a ball, Becky and the Mytton Fold team couldn’t have done more for us, we are planning #RVBA23 already!"
Ribble Valley Business Awards will run again in early 2023; nominations open in January and the ceremony will be returning to Mytton Fold on 23 March 2023.
For more details about the awards and to view their latest news, follow the RVBA Team on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ribblevalleybusinessawards
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