Several East Lancashire business have come home victorious from an awards ceremony.
The Ribble Valley business awards took took place on Thursday, March 23, at Mytton Fold hotel in Langho.
More than 250 guests attended the black-tie ceremony and enjoyed a three-course dinner and entertainment from local singer Arthur Geldard ahead of the award presentations.
Businesses from all corners of the Ribble Valley were finalists across 18 different award categories.
The trophies were presented by category sponsors at the ceremony, with the finalists for the prestigious Beacon Award, the most inspiring entry, announced at the end.
The Beacon Award, which is given to the local business that is, in the opinion of the judging panel, the best entry across all categories, went to Bowland Wild Boar Park, located in Chipping.
The business also took home the tourism ward.
A spokesperson for the company said: “We are honoured and thrilled to announce we won two awards last night at the Ribble Valley Business Awards
“Thank you to all our amazing staff who helped us to achieve this.
“A massive well done to all of the other finalists and winners on the night.”
Langho mobile fish and chip business, Country Fried, were named best small business at the awards.
Co-owner, Helen Mathews, said: “We were ecstatic to win.
“We’ve only been around for two years so to be recognised among some of the fabulous business in the Ribble Valley is such an achievement.”
La Laconda of Gisburn, a fine dining Italian restaurant owned by Cinzia and Maurizio Bocchi, won best hospitality business.
A spokesperson said: “We are absolutely thrilled and it was a privilege to be among so many incredible businesses on the night”.
Glamping business Ribble Valley Retreat won best Microbusiness.
Owners Emma and Peter Turner said: “We are delighted to have won best microbusiness and feel incredibly proud that our hard work and dedication is being recognised amongst so many other thriving businesses.
“It was great to connect with people that share our passion for the Ribble Valley. Last nights award follows a double win last month at Lancashire Tourism Awards and we feel our business is being rewarded for our dedicated to our guests’ experience.
“We are constantly promoting the area, trying to raise awareness of all its qualities and the incredible independent businesses that make the Ribble valley such a wonderful place to live.”
Organiser of the awards, Rachel Kay, said: “It was a real privilege to share the evening with so many excellent businesses and be part of the chat, the laughter and the ceremony.
“With more than 412 businesses nominated there was fierce competition across the board this year, and our Judges had some very tough decisions to make.
“Our 2023 winners are all innovative, adaptable, hard-working, customer focussed and very worthy winners. Huge congratulations to them all and to our finalists too for making the shortlist.
“I’d also like to say a heartfelt thanks to our fantastic volunteers, judges and sponsors, especially Headline Sponsor Silverwoods Waste Management, as without their support we simply wouldn’t be able to run the awards.”
Full list of winners of the Ribble Valley Business Awards 2023
Sole trader
Raw Furniture, Ribchester (Rebecca Wilmer (RAW) & John Houldsworth)
Hospitality business
La Locanda, Gisburn (Amanda Oldroyd, Maurizio Bocchi, Cinzia Bocchi and Laura Sieczkowski)
Tourism business
Bowland Wild Boar Park, Chipping (Amanda Dowson and Simon McDonald)
Large business
Decron Ltd, Lower Standen (Suzanne Taylor, Julia Wundran, Stephen Lord, Ian Wallbank, Julia Wallbank, Steven Smith and Pauline Rigby)
Food and drink business
Georgonzola Ltd, Clitheroe (George Hammond and Jen Briggs)
New business
Everything Retreat, Mellor (Miranda Barker, Chris Silverwood, Natalie Campbell, Louise Monk and Chris Monk)
Health and wellbeing business
Ribble Valley Children's Physiotherapy (Chloe Robinson and Phil Wade)
Micro business
Ribble Valley Retreat (Peter Turner, Emma Turner and Lee Chambers)
Small business
Country Fried (Helen Mathews, Simon Mathews and Katy Parkinson)
Medium business
Toms Table, Clitheroe (Richard Singleton, Ben Ashcroft, Jaymee-Leigh Hartley, Kate Drinkall, Tom Drinkall, James Hebdon, Laura Callaghan and Dylan Wong)
Social media champion
Feathers and Florence Bridal Studio, Longridge (James Evans, Liam Mulligan and Melissa Cooper)
Creative business
Musique, Clitheroe (Jamie Turner, Arthur Phillips and Paul Sharples)
Family business
Swan With Two Necks, Pendleton (Phil Lynas, Michael Dilworth, Danielle Dilworth, Morag Walker, Robert Dilworth and Sarah Lynas)
Workforce development
Castle Supported Living, Clitheroe (Helena Whalley, Louise Parsons, Stephen Smith and Gary Townsend)
Independent retailer
EQ Woman, Clitheroe (Emma Ireland, Zilpah Oulson-Jenkins and Deryn Mather)
Made in Ribble Valley
Bakerboxx (Gladys Cronshaw and Francine Kenyon)
Customer friendly business
Artisan Escapes, Whalley (Zoe Ashby, Patricia Sommerville, Ann Lord, Anna Munro and Hassan Ditta)
Not for profit
ELHT and Me at Clitheroe Hospital (Demi Houghton, Bonnie-Anne Phillips and Rebecca Bartle)
Beacon award
Bowland Wild Boar Park, Chipping (Rachel Kay, Simon McDonald, Fiona McDonald, Kati Rhodes and Nadim Wilson)
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