FURTHER growth is on the cards for events company Now & Then Group as it returns to defend its Press Business Awards title.

The business, which last year was named Tourism and Hospitality Business of the Year, is looking to retain its crown while also hoping for success in the Business Personality of the Year category for founders Samantha Agnew and Alexandra Claydon.

Now in its third year, the gNow and Then Group, which is best known for its Britain Does Vintage Fairs, has grown from organising three events in 2011 to 50 in 2014.

Being well reputed in the events sector, The Business partners Miss Agnew and Miss Claydon have being approached by several external organisations such as York City Council and the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall to arrange various events.

This has led the pair to diversify further into the tourism and hospitality sector by forming an events management company, ‘Elzo Events’, which is to be launched in Autumn 2014.

This new company will focus on utilising local suppliers to create fun and professional events such as product launches, staff motivation days, evening events as well as event consultancy.

This year will also see the duo move into new offices at The Catalyst, in York Science Park, which they hope will help recreate an intern programme they established with York St John University, with the University of York.

Miss Claydon said: “Over the last two years we have constantly aimed to provide new and innovative visitor experiences to customers to enjoy and look forward to, while continuing to enhance the Britain Does Vintage brand and cities we go to.

“We thoroughly enjoy creating vibrant, lively and lucrative platforms for local business to tradewhich has a positive impact on the economics of the local community.”