Look North Grooming and Training Centre Ltd, based in Keighley, has been named UK Top Grooming School or College 2013 at the inaugural Liz Paul Awards held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
“We were absolutely thrilled to win Top Grooming School,” says Look North director Joanne Angus.
“This is a tremendous honour and tribute to our fantastic team of award winning trainers. They deliver first class training to all groomers, whether they are just starting out or wishing to develop specialist skills.”
Current directors Alison Thomas and Joanne Angus started working for Look North back in 1977 as Saturday girls. Today, Joanne together with lead tutor Zoe Duffy and head stylist Chris Swain all hold the highest achievable qualification available for dog groomers – LCGI.
All training takes place within the salon so students experience what it’s like to work in a commercial grooming business.
Original Look North owner, Diana North, won the lifetime achievement award and Zoe Duffy was a finalist in two categories, UK Groomer of the Year and UK Speaker of the Year.
The Look North Team are pictured with their award: back row, left to right, Chris Swain, Alison Thomas, Joanne Angus; front row, Pippa Murray, Zoe Duffy.
Meanwhile, dog grooming equipment supplier Redcape won two awards.
Beating runners-up Dezynadog and Christies Direct to take the top slot as UK Grooming Supplier of the Year, the company also won, in partnership with Groom Team England, Grooming Event of the Year for Premier Groom, which it helps to organise.
“We were absolutely delighted to be nominated for three categories and to win two is amazing,” says Redcape MD Simon Cheung.
“Winning supplier of the year is testament to our policy of providing outstanding service and support to our customers.
"We are constantly seeking ways to improve and will continue to work hard to maintain this level. It is also gratifying to be recognised for all the hard work that goes in to organising Premier Groom with Groom Team England. We would like to thank everyone who voted for us.”