The Farm Dairy retained its title of Knaresborough Business of the Year at an awards event that celebrated the town’s independent traders last night.
The deli, cheesemonger and sandwich shop took the title at Knaresborough Business Collective‘s inaugural event last year.
The team retained it at a sell-out awards event at the Worlds End Pub following a public vote.
The Farm Dairy celebrates. Pic: Brian King
Natalie Horner and Annie Wilkinson-Gill organised the awards for the collective, which was set up to stage events and promote the town’s businesses.
Speaking about the Farm Dairy afterwards, Ms Horner said:
“They have a huge fan following in town and a massive customer base, they are such lovely ladies and I think not only provide a great service but also have time for anybody who goes in there.
“They’ve built great relationships with most of Knaresborough over the years.”
Five businesses or individuals were shortlisted in each of the 18 categories.
Freedom Performing Arts, which has just expanded into new premises at the former Castle Girls School, won two accolades for favourite class or workshop and favourite inspirational business.
Number Thirteen won favourite coffee shop, Mother Shipton’s was named favourite attraction, Harriet’s claimed the favourite retailer award and Claire Baxter Art Gallery received the accolade for favourite new business.
Claire Baxter Art Gallery is the town’s favourite new business.
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List of winners
Knaresborough Business Of The Year Farm Dairy
Favourite Female Led Business Sheer Bliss
Favourite Male Led Business Tommy’s Barber Shop
Favourite Family Run Business Greenwood solicitors
Favourite Healthcare Business The Crystal Buddha
Favourite hair and beauty clinic Divine Hair
Favourite Retailer Harriet’s
Favourite Place To Stay Custard Creams cottage
Favourite Attraction Mother Shipton’s
Favourite Coffee Shop Number Thirteen
Favourite Place To Eat Two Brothers
Favourite Place to Drink So! Bar
Favourite Tradesman Brian King
Favourite Class or Workshop Freedom Performing Arts
Favourite Party Provider Painting Pots
Favourite New Business Claire Baxter Art Gallery
Favourite Member of Staff Connie Li (Yorkshire Trading)
Favourite Inspirational Business Freedom Performing Arts
Here are some photos by Brian King from last night’s event.
Performing arts school finds new home in heart of Knaresborough
Freedom Performing Arts has opened new studios at the former Castle Girls School in Knaresborough.
The arts school, which has 380 students aged three to 18, has operated out of the town’s Aspin Park Academy since 2010.
It will continue to run two classes every night at Aspin as well as one nightly class at the new venue in Castle Yard.
Amy Meikle, principal at Freedom Performing Arts, received the keys for the new premises in December last year after plans to open a museum on the site fell through.
Students at Friday’s opening.
She said it cost £25,000 to fully restore the building, which had been empty since it hosted Knaresborough and Harrogate Dance Centre pre-covid.
A ribbon was cut to mark Friday’s opening, which was attended by retired well known local dance teacher Miss Wenda (pictured below), who taught ballet and tap at Freedom before retiring in 2016.
Ms Meikle said being in the Castle Yard, close to the town centre, made the school feel like part of the community:
“I have loved seeing all the new businesses open in Knaresborough this month with more on the way. The town seems to be thriving and we feel super proud to have brought part of our school into the heart of the town centre.
“It really is a dream come true, I can’t believe this is real and I’m so grateful to everyone in my life who has helped make this possible.”
The studio has been completely renovated.
How the building looked in December.
Freedom runs a wide range of classes including ballet, tap, street, jazz, musical theatre, modern and acrobatics.
The building holds a strong personal connection for Ms Meikle, who said:
“I was born and bred in Knaresborough and my mum actually attended school in this building back in the 1950s/60s so it really has come full circle.”
The school has been nominated for four awards at Saturday’s Knaresborough Business Awards, organised by Knaresborough Business Collective.
The two-storey former girls school also hosts the 1st Scriven Scout Group.
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