The expert judging panel appointed for the Cumbria Family Business Awards have today announced their category finalists after a tense judging session held at Enterprise Answers Penrith headquarters yesterday.
The judging panel, which consisted of Head Judge Graham Lamont of Lamont Pridmore, Grahame Latus of Enterprise Answers, Anthony Smith of Progression Solicitors, Jacqui Jackson of Thomas Jardine & Co, Ben Berry of English Lakes Hotels, Rachel Halliday of Stephenson Halliday and Zoe Dawes The Quirky Traveller debated over six hours before selecting the finalists who will all attend the sparkling ceremony in March this year.
Head Judge Graham Lamont said: “I would like to personally thank all the family businesses who entered, as a family business owner myself, I appreciate the challenges and rewards that come from working with family and understand how much time and effort goes into application processes such as these. Following a record number of applications, there were some extremely difficult decisions to make yesterday and the quality of Cumbrian family businesses really shone through. We feel our selection represents the diversity and accomplishments of family businesses in the region. All of the finalists should feel extremely proud as they have beaten off some stiff competition to win their place. I look forward to meeting them at the upcoming Meet The Judges days next month.”
The finalists are as follows:
Food and Drink Establishments
- The Shabby Scholar
- Lamplighter Dining Rooms
- The Crafty Baa
Agriculture, Forestry and Farming
- Cosy Logs
- Eva’s Organics
- Robustrack
- Nibthwaite Grange Farm
Creative Business
- Lakeland Gardens
- Sweet Hearts Cumbria
- Cable & Blake
Food and Drink Producers
- Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery
- The Apple Pie
- Lovingly Artisan
Retailers and Wholesalers
- Peter Tyson
- Thomas Graham & Sons
- K & S McKenzie
Manufacturing and Construction
- Decking Designs
- Duckett Building Services
- West Coast Composting
Transport, Haulage and Logistics
- Blackwood Service Station
- Reays
- Brampton Skip Hire
- Spencer Graham Coaches
Small Hotels, Leisure and Tourism
- Rusland Pool
- The Sally
- Yew Tree Barn
Large Hotels, Leisure and Tourism
- The Ryecorn
- Eden Golf Course & The Garden at Eden
- Plato’s
People and Community Services
- Amy’s Care
- P&C Residential
- Hardy’s Soft Play
- St Bee’s Little Learners
Professional and Business Services
- Simpson & Parsons
- West Lakes Recruitment
- Ashdown Jones
- CBA Events
The judges also selected three young but ambitious businesses as ones to watch and awarded them with Going Places awards which they will collect on the night.
Going Places
- Cut The Wrap
- Scalesceugh Hall
- Shed 1 Gin
The main category finalists will now attend a Meet the Judges interview before the judges make their final decisions. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony which takes place at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa on Friday 8th March. The glittering black tie evening will be hosted by The Hairy Bikers.
For more information about the Cumbria Family Business Awards please visit www.cumbriafamilybusinessawards.uk
