Winner: Now & Then Events

Finalists: Stockeld Park; York Marriott Hotel

BECOMING Tourism and Hospitality Business of the Year is the latest in a line of accolades for two-year-old business Now & Then Events.

Established in May 2011 by Samantha De La Tour and York St John graduate Alexandra Claydon, the company organises events enabling local businesses to retail products in a lively environment which targets both the tourism and the private sectors.

In York, they have held events in the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, and co-founder Sam says: “Our events have proved to have a positive impact on local venues and businesses. For example, shops on Fossgate witness a larger footfall on event days.”

The company is best known for Britain Does Vintage, but a brand new event From Yorkshire With Love, established this year, is attracting more than 1,000 attendees each time and there are plans to include top-quality craft workshops and fun, informative talks on a variety of topics on future dates.

Now And Then Events was run on a part-time basis until July 2012.

But despite its short existence, it has already been shortlisted for four Visit York Tourism Awards and won the Outstanding Customer Service award earlier this year.

The business was one of three York winners of the Press Local Business Accelerators scheme, winning a free advertising campaign off the back of its growth potential, and has also been recognised at a national level, being the only company shortlisted recently for two National Vintage Awards.

The judges described this business as a very strong pairing of dedicated business women.

They said the personal touch is in evidence at Now & Then Events with great care and attention to detail to ensure the best offering and innovations.

The business has diversified into marketing workshops, magazine production and local community initiatives, with an internship and work experience programme.

The judges note that though the business is constantly expanding, they put an overwhelming emphasis on quality over quantity and are preparing for a growth in permanent staff in order to maintain this.