Cumbrian businesses are among those in the running for prestigious national awards.
The awards are the Countryside Alliance’s annual celebration of British food and farming, enterprise and heritage through small hard-working businesses. The awards are now in their 16th year and more than 17,000 nominations from the public were put forward.
Heft, in High Newton, has been shortlisted in the pub category. Run by Kevin and Nicola Tickle, it opened in 2021.
Nicola said: ”The entire team are over the moon that we’ve been shortlisted as finalists in the pub category.
“Our small village pub shows that something different can be done to develop what is a valuable community asset so that it thrives and remains at the heart of the community it serves.
“Being shortlisted certainly goes some way to recognising what we have set out to achieve with Heft and hopefully it will encourage others to think about the opportunities local Inns can provide.”
Roast Mutton in Kendal has been shortlisted in the butcher category.
Robert Unwin created Roast Mutton to realise his dream of bringing farm-to-table eating to the town.
He sells only locally reared heritage and rare breed grass fed beef, lamb and mutton, as well as pork, poultry and carefully selected locally sourced game.
Robert said: ”We’re all really chuffed that Roast Mutton has been shortlisted for a Rural Oscar. This award category recognises our meticulous approach to helping customers understand where their meat has come from, our aim to use ‘everything but the moo’, with the goal of zero wasted protein, and above all else helping to support our local farming industry.”
Winners will be chosen via a public vote next month and announced in the spring. The winners of each region will be up against fellow winners from around the UK and the national champion will be announced at the House of Lords in the national champions reception in May.
