The finalists have been revealed in the search to find the best businesses in Cumbria.

More than 200 firms entered the in-cumbria Business Awards 2017 which celebrate the best businesses in the county.

Judges have examined the entries and have shortlisted entrants in 16 categories covering all sectors of business and industry to three finalists in each category.

A top panel of distinguished business leaders from across the county will now visit all the shortlisted businesses over the coming weeks.

There are 45 entrants on the shortlist with one prize, the Lifetime Contribution to Cumbria, only revealed on the night of the awards.

The nominees will find out how well they have done in a glittering ceremony at The Halston Aparthotel in Warwick Road, Carlisle.

James Higgins, group editor of CN Group, praised all those who entered the awards, with the high quality of entries meaning judges had to make difficult decisions on which businesses made it to the final.

He said: "Well done to everyone who was nominated for an award. I know that the judges had to make some extremely tough decisions before they decided who would be lucky enough to make the final contest.

"The quality of entrant this year has been extremely high, which is a tribute to the amazing businesses - both large and small - which exist in our county.

"I cannot wait until the ceremony in November where we will find out who the winners are."

The awards night will be hosted by BBC Media Editor Amol Rajan.


Simon Harrison Simon Harrison, the owner of The Halston which will host the glittering event, is also looking forward to the awards ceremony.

He said: "It is great for Cumbria, we are very excited. The quality of the function and the scale of the event will really put Carlisle on the map."

This point was echoed by the venue's operations manager Becky Langley, who revealed that the hotel is preparing a special 'Taste of Cumbria' menu for the evening, which will showcase the best of Cumbria's quality produce.

She added: "It is really nice to have it here and I think we will be able to show that The Halston can host such a big occasion.

"It will be fantastic for us to showcase what we can do as a business."

Best Exporter
Primasonics
Trade Copiers
Zuza Trading

Best Marketing
Cumberland Building Society
The Lanes
The Lake District China Forum

Best Manufacturing
Oxley Group
TSP Engineering Ltd
Cumbrian Stone

Best Innovation
Bender UK
Forth
Simply Good Food/Peter Sidwell

Best community involvement
PPM Ltd
More Handles
Cartmell Shepherd

Best New Business
Lakeland Mues
Taylor Made Pet Care
Adamedia

Best Apprentice/Trainee
Danyelle Haines - GSK
Dylan Atkinson - Capita
Jade Haughan - H&H Group

Best Tourism and Hospitality
Cedar Manor
Zeffirellis Ltd
Appleby Manor Hotel and Garden Spa

Best Customer Service Excellence
H&H Insurance Brokers
Caterite Food and Wine Service Ltd
The Plastics Bottle Company

Best Family Business
Out of Eden
Stalkers Transport Services
Roland Hill Limited

Best Business Person
Amyn Fazal - Penrith Building Society
Richard Fletcher - Caterite Food and Wine Service
John Coughlan - TSP Engineering

Best Professional Services Company
Prima Uno
Armstrong Watson
Burnetts

Best Social Enterprise
Brampton and Beyond Community Trust
Inspira
Cumbria Health On Call Limited

Best SME
Solway Communications
More Handles Limited
Traybakes Ltd

Best Large Business
Impact
Cumberland Building Society
Morgan Sindall

Lifetime Contribution to Cumbria

Revealed at the gala dinner at the inaugural in-cumbria business awards at The Halston, Carlisle on November 9.