Ilkley garden centre Moss & Moor wins at Bradford award ceremony

Now it has been named Retailer of the Year at 2023's Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Awards in Bradford.

The category was sponsored by Mitie.

Co-founder Michael Miller said: “As a relatively new business we were thrilled just to be nominated, so to actually win the award of Retailer of the Year was amazing. All the team, who work so hard were absolutely delighted and we all had a fantastic evening. The whole event was brilliantly organised and staged.”

He added: “When we embarked on the project the vision was to create a modern retail and hospitality environment that was different to a traditional garden centre. Having no previous experience in the garden centre or restaurant industry it was very daunting when we opened during the pandemic.

"Having got through that we have been dealing with the cost of living crisis, so the last couple of years have been interesting to say the least. We simply do our best each day to ensure that everyone that visits us has a great time, that way hopefully people will keep returning.”

When it opened a spokesman said: “To maximise the health and wellbeing benefits of gardening, visitors can look forward to browsing a great range of top-quality plants in our Potting Shed with a team of friendly plant experts and horticulturist always on hand to help.

"A range of peat free and organic composts are stocked and Moss & Moor is supporting Ilkley Climate Action Group A conscious decision has been made to work with British growers in order to reduce distribution and logistical miles and associated carbon footprint.”

The store features a large home and garden lifestyle shop and a 200 seat restaurant offering healthy, hearty nourishing dining.

A ‘Spotlight on Yorkshire’ gallery showcases local artists and the Food Hall is stocked with local and independent suppliers’ goodies – jams, chutneys, baked goods, premium wine, spirits and deli products.

Winners of 2023's Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Awards

Find out about the winners by clicking each category below. 

• Hospitality Venue of the Year - sponsored by Herald Plastics
• The Retailer of the Year - sponsored by Mitie
• The Beauty Salon of the Year - sponsored by Kirkgate Shopping Centre
• Customer Service award - sponsored by Bradford Bid
• Leisure Venue of the Year - sponsored by Bradford at Night
• The Team of the Year - sponsored by Bradford Council
• Rising Star - sponsored by Ellandi
•  Established Business of the Year - sponsored by The Broadway
• New Business of the Year - sponsored by Bradford Live
• Hotel of the Year - sponsored by Sekhon