As the joy of the new millennium fades and life returns to its normal pattern there's a level of excitement bubbling under the surface of the business world.

No-one is shouting it from the rooftops - but businesses are quietly booming in and around the district.

Individually they are great success stories. Put together they paint a picture of commitment to the town, a determination to succeed and even more importantly create or protect jobs.

HH Calmon & Co are bucking the trend in their industry and have announced a £3 million spend on new technology. The fact they produce 10 million labels a week speaks for itself.

In Silsden a management buyout of the weaving company Herbert Green will protect jobs. Ace Elevators has landed a massive £650,000 order. Graphics Signs and Advertising has taken over long-established coachbuilders Keighley Coachworks.

Add to that the spirit of people like David Maude who has conquered ill-health and redundancy to go into business and the future is looking good.

With the demise of the business forum it is imperative that those in a position to sing out the commercial praises of Keighley and District do so at every given opportunity.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.