Ilkley shows its support for local businesses

In a recent national competition for the UK’s Favorite Local Business, Ilkley beat most other UK towns and cities in the number of nominations submitted.

There were a total of 298 nominations for 24 Ilkley businesses, with The Grove Bookshop receiving a total of 78 nominations and a place in the top ten most popular businesses nationwide. They will receive a finalist badge to proudly display in their storefront.

Also in the top 20 was Nigel Akid Bodyshop, an auto repair and paint shop based in East Parade in Ilkley.

Hurst from the Isle of Wight, a home improvement, DIY and garden retailer, was crowned the UK’s favorite local business with 517 nominations, followed by Chester Boutique in second place and Bill & Bert’s Gifts in Colchester in third place. The Grove Bookshop came in an impressive sixth place and Nigel Akid Bodyshop in fifteenth.

Other nominated Ilkley companies were:

Althams Travel, Attic Womenswear, Booths, Dan’s Den, Dillons Premium Fitness Training, Friends of Ham, Fuggle & Golding, Galo’s Kitchen, Ilkley Shoe Company, La Stazione, Leap into Languages, Lishman’s of Ilkley, Mortens, New Brook Street Deli, Nora’s Interiors & Gifts, Outside the Box, Pranzo, Tennant & Darragh, The Little Teahouse, The Vine Restaurant, Toast and Tyler James Pet Supplies.

Manager of The Grove Bookshop, Mike Sansbury said: “We are absolutely thrilled and touched to have received so many nominations from our customers. It’s just wonderful to know that we’re playing our role as a community hub and we’re proud to have been a finalist in this national competition.”

Helen Rhodes, BID Manager at Ilkley, said: “We are delighted that, despite their busy schedules, people have taken the time ahead of Christmas to nominate a favorite store and shine a spotlight on local shopping and we are particularly proud of that Small town, Ilkley was in the top 5 of all towns across the UK.

“The diversity of nominated businesses shows what a thriving independent retail and hospitality sector we have in the city and shows how loyal and passionate its customers are. The businesses are the center of our community with friendly, knowledgeable employees who take themselves one step further and together make our city a vibrant and welcoming place to live, work and visit. But we must never take them for granted because in the current economic climate they need our support more than ever.”

The UK’s Favorite Local Business competition was the latest initiative to promote local shopping in the city through the Ilkley Gift Card, an initiative funded and run by Ilkley BID.

It was backed by Miconex, the founders of the Town & City Gift Card concept, whose managing director Colin Munro said.

“Ilkley’s success in the UK’s Fast Local Business competition shows the value of local businesses in the city. Upon reading listings for Ilkley, customers commended the friendly, knowledgeable and hard-working teams. They showed their appreciation for the quality products on offer and the attentive service. And they wrote about what a joy it is to have these shops in their town. It is clear that Ilkley is blessed with some amazing local businesses and it is these amazing local businesses that make the Ilkley Gift Card such a great gift.”

89 town center businesses now accept the Ilkley gift card including shops, salons, restaurants, cafes, attractions and services and December saw record sales with people opting to buy the gift card as a Christmas present.

Consumers can buy the card preloaded with any value between £5 and £500 from the Visitor Information Center or they can collect a card from selected retailers to load at home or buy online at www.ilkleygiftcard.co.uk.

Full details can be found on the Discover Ilkley website: www.discoverilkley.co.uk