Knaresborough Business Collective, which was set up to encourage more people to visit the town, has folded.

The group, which was established in the wake of the vote not to create a Knaresborough Business Improvement District, announced the news on social media today.

Founders Natalie Horner and Annie Wilkinson-Gill said “the time has come to say enough is enough”.

The duo organised numerous initiatives for the town including Christmas trees for traders, a scarecrow festival and business awards.

Their decision followed the theft of 20 Christmas trees last week, which Ms Horner described as “absolutely sickening”. Her own printing business Sid Horner and Sons was burgled six days earlier.

It prompted numerous messages of support from people saying how grateful they were for all that the two women have done for the town.

Peter Lacey, from Knaresborough Chamber, thanked the group for all its “hard work for the town”.

The collective’s demise may reignite calls for another ballot on whether to establish a BID.

Ms Horner and Ms Wilkinson-Gill said on social media:

“This was not an easy decision, and one not taken lightly by either of us. We have powered through adversity, harassment, theft, abuse, criticism, vandalism, complaints, slander, all of which has crossed the line to personal attacks on our own businesses and characters.

“We did what we did because we love Knaresborough, it’s businesses, it’s community, it’s residents, but we could only handle so much when we are doing every part of it voluntarily. We have neglected our businesses, our families, our homes and our health, both mental and physical, and the time has come to say enough is enough.

“We have achieved so much over the last few years, and while we loved it, every single thing we have done has been met with some form of negativity or been destroyed. We both have strong shoulders and thick skin but it is too much for two people to take. We have six young children between us and five businesses. It feels as though what turned from people being grateful soon became what people just expected.”

The post said Ms Horner, who runs printing firm Sid Horner and Sons, had lost lost thousands of pounds by printing items for free and Ms Wilkinson-Gill had paid her own staff to work at events.

It added the two women will still do things for town on a personal level, including the Knaresborough Business Awards.

Knaresborough Business Awards. Pic Brian King

They will also spend funds accrued on CCTV cameras for traders “as our parting gifts for town”, with any money left being split between local charities.

The post concluded:

“Thank you to everybody who has helped us, thanked us, supported us and volunteered, we are so grateful and think Knaresborough really is the best place, not just all the wonderful businesses but the people who make it what it is.

“We are proud of what we have achieved in just a few years and hope if anything comes of this it is that everybody supports each other and their businesses.”

Read more:

• Annual Christmas Tree Festival returns to Knaresborough
• Council defends putting EV charge points in Knaresborough car park after furore

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.

Knaresborough Business Awards will celebrate the town’s commercial heroes this weekend.

The event, organised by Knaresborough Business Collective, will take place at the Worlds End Pub at Bond End on Saturday night. Tickets sold out in 48 hours.

Five companies have been shortlisted in each of the 18 categories, which range from favourite attraction to favourite coffee shop.

The most prestigious category is Knaresborough Business of the Year, which was won by The Farm Dairy last year. The  deli, cheesemonger and sandwich shop on Market Place is among this year’s nominees.

Annie Wilkinson-Gill, who organises the event with Natalie Horner, said the awards had generated an “amazing response”.

“We feel it really is a wonderful way for the gorgeous businesses of Knaresborough to get together, and for the Knaresborough community to vote for their favourites.

“It’s also a wonderful way to promote the businesses Knaresborough has to offer.”

Like last year’s inaugural event, the event uses local suppliers: flowers have been provided by River and Rose, balloons by Balloons and Confetti, brochures by Sid Horner and Sons, the desserts are from the Black Mulberry, and the trophies are from Wayne at If.

The collective, which was formed in 2022, consists of Knaresborough business owners who work together to promote the town and its businesses.

Here are some photos of last year’s awards, taken by Brian King.

Read more:

• Natural beeswax shop opens in Knaresborough
• Knaresborough Town Council calls for 138-home scheme to be rejected
• Performing arts school finds new home in heart of Knaresborough

This year’s shortlisted businesses and individuals are:

Knaresborough Business Of The Year

Freedom Performing Arts, Farm Dairy, Wild Thing, Wildstyle tattoo and Greenwood solicitors

Favourite Female Led Business

Freedom Performing Arts, River & Rose, Sheer Bliss, The Lash Gallery and Kat’s Dogs

Favourite Male Led Business

The Music Bank, Wildstyle Tattoo, Barber Asylum, Zig Zag and Tommy’s Barber Shop

Favourite Family Run Business

Two Brothers, Greenwood solicitors, Sid Horner and Son, Hirst Bakery and Hutton Butchers

Favourite Healthcare Business (not hair & beauty)

Castle Clinic Chiropody by Louise, The Crystal Buddha, Natural Choice, Sarah Chisem Podiatry

Favourite Hair and Beauty Clinic

Aimed Health & Beauty, Kelly Teggin Hairdressing, Orchis Escape, Swish Beauty and Divine Hair

Favourite Retailer

Wild Thing, The Clothing Store, Harriet’s, Stomp and Sheer Bliss

Favourite Place To Stay

The Groves Inn, Gallon House, Custard Cream Cottage, Teardrop Cottage and Newton House

Favourite Attraction

Mother Shipton’s, Blenkhorn’s Boats, the Kiosk at Conyngham, Knaresborough Rescue and Knaresborough Painting Pots

Favourite Coffee Shop

Number Thirteen, The Black Mulberry, McQueens, Cafe Nero and No Place Like Home

Favourite Place to Eat

Two Brothers, Farm Dairy, So! Bar, Six Poor Folk and Carriages

Favourite Place to Drink

The George and Dragon, Six Poor Folk, Blind Jack’s, Half Moon and So! Bar

Favourite Tradesman

Neil Watts, TG Plumbing, Thistle Handyman Services, Dave Bebb DB Roofing and Brian King

Favourite Class or Workshop

Clubbercise with Gilly, Freedom Performing Arts, Bounce with Georgina Sands, Emergy Fitness and Wellbeing and Judi Does Yoga

Favourite Party Provider

Painting Pots, Rascals Entertainment, Bórn of the Forest, Petite Boutique and Studio 3

Favourite New Business (last 12 months)

No Place Like Home, Number Thirteen at Silver Street, Berry’s Tavern, Claire Baxter Art Gallery and Lawai Spice

Favourite Member of Staff

Connie Li (Yorkshire Trading), Lindsey Ruthen ( Farm Dairy), Maisie Withnell (The Clothing Store), Tom Robson (Vapour Worx) and Miles Lazenby (Berry’s Tavern)

Favourite Inspirational Business

The Crystal Buddha, Painting Pots, Sid Horner and Son, Freedom Performing Arts and Greenwood solicitors

The Farm Dairy was named business of the year in the first Knaresborough Business Awards on Saturday.

The event, organised by the new Knaresborough Business Collective, attracted 132 guests — 50 more than initially expected.

Sixteen awards, voted on by other local businesses, were handed out at Hopewell Farm, with the main one going to longstanding deli, cheesemonger and sandwich shop The Farm Dairy, based on Market Place.

Jenna Routh, who has owned the business for seven years, said:

“I feel really honoured and proud that our little shop was recognised as the best in Knaresborough.

“We couldn’t have done without the support of our brilliant team and loyal customers.”

Everyone involved with the awards, from the caterers and trophy providers to the entertainers, runs a business in Knaresborough.

Natalie Horner, of Sid Horner and Son, who organised the event with Annie Wilkinson-Gill, from The Crystal Buddha, said she was already planning a similar event next year:

“It all went so well and the feedback we’ve had has been amazing — people had a lovely time.

“We aimed to get 80 guests and then tickets kept selling so we expanded and ordered more tables.

“It was lovely for everyone to get together. After the last couple of years, people wanted a morale booster.”

Read more:

• Campaign to improve Knaresborough High Street
• 170-home plan ‘not right’ for Knaresborough, says town councillor

Knaresborough Business Collective was formed eight months ago, shortly after companies in the town voted against setting a business improvement district. Currently 62 firms pay £50 a year membership.

It provides a vehicle for businesses to work collaboratively to promote the town. Profit from events is used to fund future initiatives.

The collective is now working on a Halloween extravaganza in the town centre and a winter fair. Ms Horner said:

“Knaresborough is doing well, there are not many empty shops. We just want to keep that going.”

Knaresborough Business Awards winners

Favourite female led business – 4 Seasons Florist

Favourite male led business – Zigzag Cards & Gifts

Favourite family run business – Two Brothers Grill and Pizzeria

Favourite new business – The Clothing Store of Knaresborough

Favourite health & beauty business – Divine Hairdressing

Favourite place to stay – Custard Creams Cottage

Favourite retailer – Harriets

Favourite attraction – Mother Shipton’s Cave

Favourite coffee shop – Number Thirteen

Favourite place to eat & drink – two brothers grill & pizzeria

Favourite service provider – Clicking With Canines

Favourite class/group – Freedom Performing Arts

Favourite long standing business – Sid Horner and Son

Favourite party provider – Painting Pots Knaresborough

Favourite green business – Resurrected Bites

Knaresborough business of the year – The Farm Dairy

Photos from the awards

Melmerby eco business park set to expand

A business park at Melmerby, near Ripon, has been granted planning permission to build a further three units at its 60-acre site.

The park, owned by Potter Space, is located close to the A1 (M) and has previously won awards for its carbon neutral unit.

The new units will add 70,000 square foot to the site and include solar panels, electric vehicle charging points and cycle stores.

Potter Space operates five business parks across England with a business model that prioritises sustainability, biodiversity and wellbeing.

Jason Rockett, managing director at Potter Space, said:

“We’re pleased to be able to bring our latest investment plans to fruition at our Ripon business park and create more high-quality warehousing and industrial space to meet demand.”

Read more:

• Harrogate’s Nelson Inn sold to pub restaurant chain
• Harrogate district unemployment figures remain low

Nominations open for Knaresborough Business Awards 

Nominations for the first Knaresborough Business Awards are now open.

The awards, which will be held in August, have been organised by Knaresborough Business Collective.

Members of the public can now nominate their favourite Knaresborough business in 15 categories, including business of the year, favourite family run business, favourite group or class and favourite place to stay.

To nominate, click here.