Time is running out for you to register to watch the county’s most prestigious business awards.

Taking place interactively via a live stream for the first-time as part of a unique one-off experience, this year’s in-Cumbria Business Awards event will be on Thursday 12th November, starting at 7pm.

Lee Taylor-Craddock, sales director for LOCALiQ and Newsquest Cumbria, is one of many looking forward to the big occasion and the chance to showcase the biggest and best businesses in 2020.

He said: "Despite the challenges the pandemic has brought for small and large businesses across Cumbria, here at in-Cumbria we have been blown away by the business innovation, diversification, leadership, resilience, community support and dedication to Cumbria as a whole which has continued to take place.

"We cannot let these fantastic achievements pass without recognition and this cemented our decision to go virtual and create a platform where for one evening we can all join in celebrating together."

Vassos Alexander, best known as co-presenter of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio and host of the Parkrun podcast, will be the face of the 2020 awards and will be crowning the best that Cumbria’s businesses has to offer.

With 11 prizes on offer over the evening event, from one of the most competitive nomination processes with a huge number of entries, it is expected to be quite the night.

As in previous years, one of the most keenly watched awards will be that for Lifetime Contribution to Cumbria, which last year went to John Grainger, executive director of Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster.

This year will also feature the Best Community Involvement award - sponsored by the Cumberland Building Society - but with a specific focus on how businesses have helped their communities during the coronavirus crisis.

A new award, the Against All Odds Special Award - sponsored by BAE Systems, will celebrate businesses which have battled against the odds to survive the Covid-19 pandemic.

The other prizes up for grabs on the night are Businessperson of the Year - sponsored by TSP Engineering, Apprentice/Trainee of the Year - sponsored by the University of Cumbria, New Business of the Year - sponsored by Furness College, SME of the Year - sponsored by Cartmell Shepherd, Large Business of the Year, Family Business of the Year - sponsored by Lamont Pridmore, Professional Services Business of the Year and Green/Ethical Business of the Year.

You can help recognise the best Cumbrian businesses by signing up to watch the event here: https://icba.sparq.me.uk/