Stray Ferret Business Awards 2025: meet the finalists for Business of the Year

The countdown is now on for the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2025, sponsored by Prosperis, and we're taking the opportunity to celebrate the fantastic finalists, shortlisted across each of the 10 categories.

Tickets are now available to buy for the glittering black tie event, which will take place at The Pavilions in Harrogate on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

Let's meet and find out more about the finalists for Business of the Year, sponsored by Reed Bordall. 

City Plumbing

City Plumbing began in 1981 with one site in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and has since grown to over 3,500 colleagues across more than 360 branches nationwide.

The Harrogate branch at Hookstone Park - managed by Stuart Johnson and a team of five - has been recognised as Branch of the Month twice in 2024.  

Despite economic challenges such as inflation and the energy crisis, City Plumbing Harrogate has maintained its competitiveness through adaptability, and has contributed to the overall success of the business. 

Lightwater Valley and Concrete4U

Lightwater Quarries and sister company Concrete4U are leading suppliers of aggregates and concrete to customers across North Yorkshire, and have enjoyed a period of growth in 2024.

Both pride themselves on being part of the community fostering sustainable business growth, through supporting local groups, events and individuals such as Pannal Ash Under-13 Girls club, Becky Sidwell, York City Ladies’ First Team Goalkeeper and England international and Ripon Theatre Festival. 

They also have shown ongoing support of the Ripon Walled Garden, by providing technical advice for their building projects and donating building materials free of charge which has enabled the construction of a new café, a toilet block, and improvements to the courtyard.

Live For Today

Live For Today is an adventure company, with three activity centres, a climbing centre, and many more offsite adventures offered across Yorkshire.

According to its submission, it 'experienced remarkable growth' in 2024, through its 'dedication to innovation, strategic expansion, and community engagement'.

This includes an increased turnover, acquistition and opening of the climbing wall, introducing new actvities and doubling staff size to 38 dedicated team members.

Verity Freason

Proudly proclaiming itself to be 'Harrogate’s top selling agent', the team at Verity Freason believe that last year's successes speak to that promise. 

As well as seeing its overall turnover grow by 30 percent, the agency added many awards to its trophy cabinet in 2024, including Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for achieving 650 five-star reviews.

It also strongly believes that at the heart of its achievements is the 28-strong team, which is made up of a mix of a longer-term staff and new employees for 2024, many of whom have been recognised in their own right with prestigious industry awards.

Cloud Nine

Established in 2009, CLOUD NINE invents and sells heated styling tools with luxury accessories, such as straighters, dryers, and heated brushes.

The business has ambitious plans to reach by 2027, such as taking on new territories and further expanding in the UK market, with some excellent successes achieved towards this in 2024.

There was an increased focus on working with retail partners, leading to a new partnership with Look Fantastic, and a 100 shop in-store Boots roll out, including in the Harrogate shop.

Don't miss out

Tickets are now available for the awards evening, which takes place on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

Book yours here and join the Stray Ferret and other local businesses for a night filled with recognition, networking, and fun.