Family-run JN & E Capstick Insurance, based in Kirkby Stephen will celebrate 50 years in business.

Based in Market Square, with an office in Sedbergh, the firm will be holding an open-to-all anniversary event at Newbiggin-on-Lune village hall on September 9.

Newbiggin-on-Lune is where founder Norman Capstick began the business in September 1968, when he received his first agency agreement from the then Provincial Insurance.

The firm was then selling motor, home and farm insurance to the local community, and now also offers financial investments and is expanding its agricultural insurance cover.

Norman’s wife Elsie became a partner in 1973 and continues to keep a knowledgeable eye over the business.

The firm has been run by their son, David, since 1989 and following Norman’s death in 1998.

The financial investments side of the company is run by their daughter Alison’s husband, Gary Capstick who joined in 1989.

The firm expanded to Appleby in 1998, which operated for around 10 years.

It also acquired Les Maddock Insurance Brokers, Sedbergh following Mr Maddock’s retirement in 2007.

The company moved to the old HSBC bank premises in Sedbergh in 2013.

In June 2017, JN & E Capstick Insurance established a pop-up office at Hawes auction,which is open on auction days.

The firm now employs 18 full and part-time staff, some having being with the company for many years.

The family run company is keen to support the local community and believes that is has a responsibility to give something back to the area that, over the past 50 years, has supported them loyally.

This community support was further displayed in 2017 when the company won Broker Claims Team of the Year in the national Commercial Insurance Awards.

The award recognised businesses providing service which puts clients’ needs at the heart of the operation. It won the award following outstanding work supporting customers who suffered from the Storm Desmond floods.

In 2017 David and staff raised over £1,000 for Cancer Research and the Great North Air Ambulance service by doing a sponsored Tour De Lune bike ride.

Looking to the next 50 years. JN & E Capstick Insurance is working to develop its online presence.

The existing website is being redeveloped and is expected to be launched later this year. They are also trying to increase the social media activity and has a Facebook page.

Planning permission has recently been granted to develop a third storey at the Market Square premises, which will create more office space.