THE FINALISTS for this year's Cumbria Family Business Awards have been announced following a record number of applications.

The shortlist has been chosen by a judging panel that comprises of Paul Dickson of Armstrong Watson, Grahame Latus of Enterprise Answers, Graham Lamont of family-run Lamont Pridmore, Maria Whitehead OBE of family business Hawkshead Relish, Jacqui Jackson of family owned Thomas Jardine & Co, Paul Andrews of Family Business United and Zoe Dawes The Quirky Traveller.

The finalists are:

Agriculture Forestry and Farming

CT Hayton

The Moody Cow

Robustrak

Food and Drink Producers

Lovingly Artisan

Grasmere Gingerbread

Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery

Food and Drink Establishments

Ryecorn Ltd

Three Hares

The Churchmouse at Barbon

Askham Hall

Retailers and Wholesalers

Pioneer

Cunningham’s

JB Banks

Manufacturing

Hayhurst Joinery

Bath House

Professional Business and People Services

Elton Finance

Financial Management Bureau

Stephenson Halliday

Property and Construction

Roland Hill

CJ City

Small Leisure and Tourism Business

Augill Castle

Cedar Manor

Nanny Brow

Hazelbank Country House

Large Leisure and Tourism Business

English Lakes Hotels

The Wildsmith Group

The Regent Hotel

Heart of the Lakes

Transport and Logistics

Reays

Downton Travel

Stalkers

Creative Business

Miles-Moore Ceramics

Lauren’s Cows

Heaton Cooper

Majik House

Three additional businesses have been awarded One to Watch Awards: Little Rascals Daycare, Barry Robinson Ltd and Feather & Springs.

Employee of the Year Finalists

Lynn Logan, Heart of The Lakes

Cath Irwin, The Regent Hotel

David Forsythe, Stephenson Halliday

Nick Owen, Elterwater Hostel

Nevil Jeffery, English Lakes Hotels

Geoff Whitehead, Lamplighter

Rachel Jackson, Roland Hill

Tony Davies, Virginia House

Chloe Dent, Trade Copiers

The employee finalists have been scored by the judges and will be open to an online public vote later this week.

The public scores will be added to the judges scores, and the winner will be announced at the ceremony.

Votes can be cast on the website www.cumbriafamilybusinessawards.uk

Judge Zoe Dawes The Quirky Traveller said: “There have been some tough decisions made already, all the judges commented on the extremely high standard of applications. It was clear that huge amounts of effort have been put in by those applying. It is a privilege to judge these awards, they’re special because it’s as much about the family stories as the business success. I think the next stage where we meet the finalists is going to be particularly interesting, and choosing the winners will be a very difficult decision for us all!”

The thirty-five finalists are now invited to meet the judges in early February. The judges will then make their final decisions on the winners, who will be announced at the ceremony hosted by Hairy Biker Dave Myers on March 9 at The Garden at Eden Carlisle.