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BID celebrates Skipton’s recent national recognition

Friday, 10 April 2026 09:01

Image from Skipton BID.

Skipton BID is celebrating Skipton as a must-visit destination following recent national recognition.

Skipton was recently named as the ‘Best Place to Live in the North and North East’ by The Sunday Times.

This follows the news that Skipton was crowned as the ‘Happiest Place to Live’ in the UK in 2025 and one of the best locations for wellbeing at the Wellbeing Living Awards earlier this year and the BID team are excited to see the town being highlighted on a more national scale.

Sarah Howsen, Skipton BID Manager, said:

“It’s fantastic to see Skipton once again highlighted as one of the best places in the country following further accolades recently.

“We know how amazing our town is, so to receive a series of similar recognition over the last few months has been a brilliant boost.

“As the BID, we’re always working hard to deliver key projects and campaigns to support these wins for our place, while enhancing our commitment to championing Skipton’s future.

“From managing all of the local floral displays and funding crime prevention initiatives, to delivering a programme of family-friendly events and trails across the year, we consistently promote our town as a vibrant, thriving, must-visit destination.”

The BID shared that footfall for 2026 has risen by 56% compared to the first quarter in 2025.

Visitors have travelled from Scotland, Norfolk and Newark.

Alongside more than 10 new openings, a number of venues, including the popular Red Lion and O’Malley’s Black Horse, have also undergone refreshing refurbishments to brighten up the town centre.

Skipton’s current vacancy rate currently stands at 5% - less than half the national average.

Sarah added:

“Our business community is always adapting and changing, so to be able to maintain a consistently low vacancy rate is a big win for us.

“We’re very pleased to welcome new organisations into our town.”.

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