Business Awards: act fast for last tickets

With just a fortnight to go until the Harrogate Advertiser Series Business Awards, organisers are warning would-be attendees to act fast to secure the last of the tickets.
Shaun Benzon (right) and Tim Brown of finalist The Fly Reel Company. (S)Shaun Benzon (right) and Tim Brown of finalist The Fly Reel Company. (S)
Shaun Benzon (right) and Tim Brown of finalist The Fly Reel Company. (S)

Places at the event have been selling more quickly than in previous years, and only a few remain – which could be a concern for any shortlisted companies that have not yet bagged their place.

One finalist who has already bought tickets is Shaun Benzon of The Fly Reel Company, which has made it onto the shortlist for the Best Small Business category.

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The company, which makes the only fishing reel designed and manufactured in Britain, unites the engineering skills of PhD student and keen fisherman Mr Benzon with the business acumen of Tim Brown, who owns The Brown Trout, a fishing tackle shop on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate where Shaun used to work.

Mr Benzon said: “Several people recommended that we enter the Business Awards because we’re a small, locally-based engineering company. We’ve always tried to place great emphasis on keeping things local and using local businesses, so to win a local business award would be amazing for us.

“We’re really looking forward to it. It should be good fun, and great to meet a lot of other local businesses and maybe do a bit of networking too.”

The black-tie event – to be held on Thursday, April 14 at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate – is one of the highlights of the region’s business calendar and each year attracts well over 400 people, including the cream of the region’s business talent.

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This year, the Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Barry Dodd CBE, will be the principal guest. Other VIPs include the leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Coun Carl Les; the leader and chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council, Coun Richard Cooper and Wallace Sampson respectively; and the Mayor of Harrogate, Coun Nigel Simms.

l Tickets for the Business Awards ceremony cost £55+VAT and can be bought by contacting Sarah Lister at [email protected] or calling 01422 260293.