A legal firm embedded in the local community is backing the Cumbria Food Awards.
Thomson Hayton Winkley is to sponsor the New Business of the Year category at the independent awards.
The long-established Cumbrian firm has a department specifically geared towards the hospitality industry and works with food and drink businesses, from producers to restaurants and venues.
Director John Cooke said they wanted to demonstrate their commitment to Cumbria’s hospitality sector through sponsorship of the awards.
“A large part of our economy involves the production and consumption of food,” he said. “We’re pleased to do anything we can do to promote those businesses and shine a spotlight on them.
“It’s a critical time to be doing something locally that highlights excellence in the county.”
John said that Thomson Hayton Winkley goes further than offering purely transactional legal services, such as employment and property matters, tax planning and wills.
The firm aims to be approachable and help businesses to make things happen.
“We like to make a positive difference to people’s transactions. It might just be a lease but when you sit down and really get to the bottom of what the client needs, it could be something more than that.
“We get involved whenever clients need us. We don’t just offer a legal service but we also offer rounded business advice.”
John said the firm’s foundations and long experience ensures they’re well placed to help: “If you’re in the area as we are, you know what’s going on. We know the best places to be and the best people to know.”
Thomson Hayton Winkley was established in 1857 and has five offices at Kendal, Kirkby Lonsdale, Grange-over-Sands, Windermere and at J36 Rural Auction Centre at Crooklands near Kendal. It has 90 members of staff, including its estate agency and is the biggest legal firm in the area.
The auction mart office enables the firm to maintain its close links with the farming community and food producers and it is a supporter of Westmorland County Show.
Thomson Hayton Winkley’s work in the sector and its firm place in the local community contributed to it winning the professional services category of the national Rural Business Awards 2021/22.
The firm is a strategic partner of Cumbria Tourism, which highlights its commitment to the tourism and hospitality sectors.
