A Lake District adventure company has been named as one of the best rural businesses in the north for the third time.
Newlands Adventure Centre and Keswick climbing Wall, near Keswick, won the Best Rural Recreational or Outdoor Pursuits category at the northern regional finals of the Rural Business Awards.
The firm will now go on to represent the north at the national final in February.
It won the national final in 2019 and last year.
Rik and Debbie Beament run the centre.
Rik said: “We are delighted and honoured to win, especially after the difficulties faced by the outdoor industry during the pandemic.
“To have all our hard work recognised is fantastic and the fact that we are judged by our peers who acknowledge our efforts to run a consistent, strong and successful business makes winning this award again very special indeed.”
Newlands Adventure Centre and Keswick Climbing Wall offers outdoor adventure activities for all ages as well as residential outdoor activity courses at its 130-bed centre.
A family business, employing six full-time staff and 15 seasonal staff, Newlands Adventure Centre is the oldest outdoor centre in the UK, first opening its doors in 1905.
With the addition of Keswick Climbing Wall in 2008 the centre can now offer activities to non-residents and has developed many new activities including the very successful Rookery Woods at Keswick Climbing Wall – an adventure playground for under-eights.
The Rural Business Awards was the brainchild of Leicestershire businesswomen Anna Price and Jemma Clifford, who wanted to showcase the wealth of entrepreneurial talent in rural areas of Britain.
The awards are organised by rural business for rural business, with winners in the 13 categories – ranging from Best Rural Start Up and Best Rural Diversification Project; through to Best Rural Professional Services Business and Best Rural Innovation – decided by an independent panel of judges drawn from the rural business sector, rural public sector agencies, and rural charitable organisations.
