The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2024 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

We are revealing what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the categories. Next up is the Best Independent Retailer Award.

This award recognises the work of independent retailers across the Harrogate district who are tackling the challenges faced by high street retailers in the growing online world.

These businesses are truly beating the odds to support customers and make the high street work for them.

Companies looking to enter for the Best Independent Retailer Award need to evidence how they have changed and adapted to continue flourish in a different high street landscape. You may have opened a new business or changed the way you operate to survive.

Does your business deserve to win the Best Independent Retailer Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 19. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2024 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

Over the next few weeks we will reveal what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

Next up is the Best Use of Digital Award, which is sponsored by ASE Computer Services.

This award is designed to showcase businesses which have embraced the digital world to drive success.

Those looking to enter or nominate need to provide details of the digital initiative/s and the business objectives behind them. As well as statistical information on why the initiative was a success.

Does your business deserve to win the Best Use of Digital Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 19. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2024 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

Over the next few weeks we will reveal what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

Next up is the Best Employer Award, which is sponsored by Jones Myers.

Best Employers embrace a culture of high performance, stress company values and have systems in place to inspire their workforce to do their best.

This award is designed to showcase your business values and culture which have lead to creating an environment where employees feel respected, safe and supported as well as highlighting the employee successes as a result of company ethos.

Those looking to enter or nominate need to provide details of company values and cuture, including how these have supported employee success.

Does your business deserve to win the Best Employer Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 19. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

This story is sponsored by Children’s Corner Childcare.

Companies from across the region were recognised at the Yorkshire & Humber Family Business Awards last month, but none had a better night than Children’s Corner Childcare. 

The group, which runs 10 childcare settings, including one in Harrogate, all rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, was the only double winner of the evening. 

It not only scooped the Business Services award, but operations manager Nicola Stanworth also won the only individual award of the evening, for Employee of the Year. 

Nicola beat a field of 16 finalists from every sector across the region. She said: 

“I was over the moon – I never expected to be singled out like that for doing what I do. To know that other people recognised all the effort I put in was an amazing feeling. 

“I’m completely dedicated to Children’s Corner. I started working here as a 15-year-old while doing my GCSEs, and had a part-time role here while I was doing my teaching degree at Leeds Metropolitan University. Once I’d graduated, Early Years education called me, and I came here full-time. 

“I have a diverse role, looking after all the operations and logistics, and I never switch off – it’s just how I’m built!” 

Children’s Corner was set up in 1995 by former police officer Lesley Dawson and her husband Allan when they couldn’t find a nursery they liked for their first son. Nearly 30 years later, two of their three sons also now work in the company, making it a truly family-run enterprise. 

Nicola Stanworth was named Employee of the Year at the Family Business Awards.

Nicola said: 

“We treat all the children as individuals and focus on making them independent, to prepare them for their next steps in life. We keep our sites fresh, and replace all the resources regularly, and everything’s included in the price, such as healthy meals, milk and nappies.

“Parents can even keep up to date with their children’s progress with the Children’s Corner app. 

“A lot of people say our nurseries feel like a home from home.” 

Children’s Corner is now recruiting across all its nurseries, and is looking for only the best candidates with a small number of opportunities still available at their Harrogate nursery. 

Children’s Corner Harrogate is currently hiring for an Early Years Educator. Click or tap here to apply.

All the company’s key staff have recognised childcare qualifications however Children’s Corner were also recognised at the House of Commons this year as one of the Top 50 SME’s in the UK offering Apprenticeships with a number of apprenticeship opportunities also available for anyone looking to get into the Early Years sector.

Nicola said: 

“Working at Children’s Corner is fantastic anyway, but in addition to the usual benefits, we offer childcare discount, a four-day working week, and even the possibility of study trips abroad, through our charity arm in Malawi. If you’ve got the skills and qualifications join the best nursery group in the region, get in touch.”

Find out more: 

For more information about childcare with Children’s Corner, go to www.childrenscornerchildcare.co.uk. 

If you’re a childcare professional and are interested in joining the Harrogate team, take a look at our current vacancies. 

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2024 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

Over the next few weeks we will reveal what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

Next up is the Employee Appreciation Award, which is sponsored by Envirovent.

This award is designed to shine a light on those people who are truly the glue of the team.

These people are not only integral to the day to day, but they also bring a personal touch that makes the business that bit brighter.

Those looking to nominate for the Employee Appreciation Award need to provide details of the contribution and the impact this person has made as well as details of the person’s background and current position.

Do you know a person that deserves to win the Employee Appreciation Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 19. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.