Local News

Entries are now open for Richmond’s Business Awards 2026. The awards, which are held every two years, celebrate the variety and quality of businesses in Richmond and the surrounding area, along with the people who run them and work in them.

The Original Richmond Business and Tourism Association (ORBTA) has once again joined forces with The Company of Mercers, Grocers and Haberdashers of Richmond (Yorkshire) and North Yorkshire Council to stage the Awards. Russell Lord, Freeman of The Mercers, Grocers and Haberdashers said, "We are delighted to be involved with Richmond’s Business Awards. The Company is proud to work alongside the Original
Richmond Business and Tourism Association and North Yorkshire Council to recognise the contribution that business makes to our local community. Previous awards have highlighted the wealth and diversity of businesses within the area, and we look forward to celebrating their success again at the 2026 awards ceremony."

Marcia McLuckie BEM, Chair of the Judging Panel, expressed her appreciation for the sponsorship being provided: “We are extremely grateful to The Company of Mercers, Grocers and Haberdashers and North Yorkshire Council for giving us the support to make these awards possible. This is an excellent opportunity to celebrate all the wonderful businesses in Richmond and the surrounding area.”

The awards will be presented by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire (pictured), at a ceremony in April. The Mayor said of the awards: “Richmond is home to many of our region's most forward-thinking businesses, that are at the heart of developing new ideas and driving growth.  The Richmond Business Awards are a great way to celebrate that spirit, and I am looking forward to showcasing the talented people behind Richmond’s success by presenting the awards in April."

The awards are free to enter and open to any business or organisation that is a member of ORBTA or that trades in the DL10 area, whether they are a member of ORBTA or not. The public are also invited to put forward their nominations. The closing date for submissions is midnight on Friday 27 th February 2026. There are fifteen categories, and more than one category may be entered. Once the business category winners have been decided, the Judging Panel will decide the ‘best of the best’ and this business will be presented with the David Doorbar Award for Excellence. In 2024 this prestigious
award was won by Trimble Group and its founder, Toby Trimble, joins the Judging Panel for 2026.

The categories are:

• Best Customer Focus Award
• Best Employer Award
• Best New Business Award
• Best Innovation Award
• Best Marketing Award
• Business to Business Award
• Outstanding Employee Award
• Best Sole Trader Award – sponsored by Purple Creative Studio
• Environmental Award – sponsored by The Company of Fellmongers
• Tourism Award: Visitor Attractions, Leisure Venues, Festivals and Events – sponsored by North Yorkshire Council
• Tourism Award: Retail and Hospitality – sponsored by North Yorkshire Council
• Accessibility Award
• Window on the World Award
• Best Dog Friendly Business Award
• The Dennis Graves Award for Young Person of the Year – sponsored by Mocha

All the details, including how to enter, can be found here:  https://www.originalrichmond.co.uk/Business-Awards

Individual award categories are available to sponsor. Sponsors will feature in awards-related publicity, receive two tickets to the Awards Ceremony and their business name and logo will be engraved on the award for their chosen category. This is an excellent opportunity for a sponsor to be involved with Richmond’s active business community and promote their own business within that arena.

To find out more about becoming a sponsor please contact Paul Harrison, Chair of ORBTA, by e-mail: info@originalrichmond.co.uk