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NORTHERN retailer Booths, which has a store in Ilkley, has been recognised with a 2026 Princess Royal Training Award for its Specialist Training Academies, which help preserve traditional food skills and develop employee expertise.
The independent food and drink retailer received the honour for its specialist Cheese, Butchery and Fish Academies, which were created to equip colleagues with in-depth product knowledge while safeguarding skills that have largely disappeared from the wider supermarket industry.
The Princess Royal Training Awards, delivered by the City & Guilds Foundation, recognise organisations that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to learning and development and the positive impact training has on both staff and business performance.
Emma Booth, Chief Brand Officer at Booths, said receiving the award was a significant achievement for the business.
She said: “Receiving a Princess Royal Training Award is a tremendous achievement and fitting recognition of the care, ambition and commitment behind our Craft & Skill Academies.
“They embody something fundamental to Booths: investing in our people, preserving and developing traditional skills, and giving colleagues the knowledge and confidence to deliver the exceptional service that sets us apart.
“Through the academies, we are safeguarding an important part of what makes Booths special and ensuring that expertise continues to thrive for generations to come.”
Launched in 2020, the internal academy programme combines traditional craft skills with commercial expertise and product knowledge. Staff are also trained to provide customers with cooking tips, recipe ideas and specialist advice.
Booths said 150 colleagues have completed the 14-week programme, contributing to high levels of customer satisfaction, improved staff retention and increased opportunities for career progression within the company.
The retailer added that the academies have delivered significant commercial benefits while helping specialist knowledge to be shared across its stores.
Louise Dunn, Learning and Development Manager at Booths, said the award recognised the efforts of everyone involved in the programme.
She said: “We are incredibly proud to receive a Princess Royal Training Award.
“This recognition belongs to everyone involved in the academies, from the teams who develop and deliver the training to every colleague who has embraced the opportunity to learn, share knowledge and preserve these important skills.
“The academies help our people grow in confidence and progress their careers while ensuring our customers continue to receive exemplary expertise and personal service they associate with Booths.”
Booths is one of just 56 organisations across the UK and Ireland to receive a Princess Royal Training Award in 2026, joining recipients from a wide range of sectors recognised for investing in workforce development.