AN independent butchers in South Cumbria has been announced as a finalist for a regional business awards, beating nearly 200 other entries.

Higginsons Butchers of Grange was named twice in a list of finalists for the forthcoming North West Family Business Awards on March 6.

An evolution of the ever-popular Family Business Awards in Cumbria, the North West Family Business Awards are organised by The Family Business Network and provide an opportunity for family firms to share and celebrate their success stories.

Higginsons Butchers is a finalist in the ‘Food and Drink Establishments’ category of the North West Family Business Awards.

And Higginsons general manager Mark Porter iss also nominated and named as a finalist in the ‘Employee of the year’ category.

The butchers beat strong competition with a record number of 192 businesses entering the awards from across the North West region.

The awards themselves will be held in the Concorde Hangar at the Manchester Airport Visitor Centre, where finalists and supporters of the family business sector will come together to celebrate with host, food writer and presenter Nigel Barden.

Stuart Higginson, of Higginsons Butchers, said: “We were surprised and delighted to be named as a finalist amongst so many other superb family businesses both in Cumbria and across the North West.

“I’m also extremely proud to see our long-serving General Manager Mark get well-deserved recognition for his hard work and commitment over the twenty five years he has been with the company.”

Founder and co-director at the awards, Sue Howorth said: “We were inundated with some incredible entries and we have been burning the midnight oil to get through them as they came in right up to the wire.

“The judges had extremely difficult decisions to make so the finalists should be extremely proud of themselves!”

Jacqui Jackson from Thomas Jardine & Co and 2020 NW Awards Chair of Judges added: “The number and quality of applications from across the North West has been outstanding.

“The businesses are clearly proud to be family businesses and the detail in many of the entries has demonstrated that they are very progressive and innovative”.

Higginsons will now receive a visit from members of the judging panel before the judges make their final decisions.

The winners will be announced at the glittering ceremony taking place in March in the Concorde Hangar.