Four Cumbrian businesses are preparing to battle it out against companies from across the UK ahead of the Rural Business Awards final.
The companies which will take part in the final on February 25 are:
- Rinaldo’s Speciality Coffee and Tea Ltd from Kendal (Best Rural Drink Business category).
- Ginger Bakers from Kendal (Best Rural Food Business category).
- Shed 1 Distillery from Ulverston (Best Rural Drink Business category).
- Newlands Adventure Centre from Keswick (Best Rural Recreational or Outdoor Pursuits Business category).
Due to the impact of COVID-19, the 2021 finalists will attend an online ceremony where the overall winners in each category will be announced.
This year, businesses had 13 categories they could enter, ranging from Best Rural Start-Up Business and Best Rural Diversification Project, through to Best Rural Professional Services Business and The Triumph Over Adversity Award.
Rinaldo’s Speciality Coffee and Tea Ltd was founded in 2015 as an artisan coffee roastery. The business now has a coffee shop situated in the Lake District National Park and offers bespoke barista training.
Ginger Bakers was established in 2006 when founder Lisa began baking cakes from her home kitchen and selling them at the local farmers markets. Ginger Bakers now stocks independent cafés, delis and shops in Cumbria and across the UK.
Shed 1 Distillery is an award-winning distillery producing small batch, classically distilled craft gin. The distillery was founded in 2017 by husband and wife team Andy and Zoe Arnold-Bennett.
Newlands Adventure Centre and Keswick Climbing Wall is an adventure centre located in the heart of the Lake District National Park.
Speaking before the final, Rin Colombi from Rinaldo’s Speciality Coffee and Tea Ltd said: “The rural economy is an important sector for British business, and we’re pleased that it’s being recognised by Amazon and the Rural Business Awards. We’re especially pleased that our independent, artisan business is amongst those being acknowledged and we’re very excited for the virtual event final.”
“The Rural Business Awards is an excellent opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of rural businesses and we’re very proud to be sponsoring the awards, particularly during this challenging year,” said John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager, Amazon. “I would like to wish all four businesses the best of luck ahead of the final.”
The Rural Business Awards 2020/21, sponsored by Amazon, will mark the Awards’ sixth year of celebrating the success of businesses across the UK’s rural sector, which contributes £299bn in Gross Value Added to the UK economy.
The Rural Business Awards is the brainchild of Leicestershire businesswomen Anna Price and Jemma Clifford, who wanted to showcase the wealth of entrepreneurial talent in rural areas of Britain.
Jemma Clifford said: “Every year, the quality of entries blows us away and this year has been no exception. It’s a privilege to showcase the incredible talent of the British rural sector and we would like to wish all the businesses from Cumbria good luck in the final.”
The award winners will be announced during the virtual ceremony.
To find out more, visit www.ruralbusinessawards.co.uk
