ONE of the winner's of the Evening Mail's Business Boost competition hasn't looked back since.

The Chocolate Cottage in Grasmere – which makes artisan chocolate – had the worst possible start to 2016 after its premises were flooded when Storm Desmond hit Cumbria in December. Owners Richard and Angela Barker remember the day well.

Mr Barker said: "We live in Thirlmere and it was just consistent rain for a day and the stream rose and rose. Between midday and 1pm it just came over and we ended up with water up to our knees in the shop. We had to give up in the evening and try to get home."

This involved crossing Dunmail Raise on the A591, a chunk of which was swept away. They were forced to get out of their car and wade through deep water to get back to their house.

They were forced to take drastic measures while they waited for the highway to be repaired.

"We had to buy a small 4x4 and travel to work through forest roads," said Mr Barker.

The delays in getting the road repaired – it did not reopen until May – also saw a decrease in visitors to Grasmere and hit the business. Despite these setbacks, the company is 25 per cent ahead of sales compared with this time in 2015, and 15 per cent ahead in profits.

Mr Barker said: "People seem to like what we make and as long as it stays that way I will be happy. They like the fact that these products are handmade and not mass-produced. We have a lot of return customers."

The business has been going for three years.

Mr Barker left a career in education, which had taken him to Somerset, to return to his native county and set up The Chocolate Cottage.

It has introduced new products over the past year, including varieties suitable for those on dairy and gluten-free diets, as well as vegans. The firm has also redesigned its packaging.

"We have gone for more of a luxury kind of look," said Mr Barker.

Winning Business Boost was a big help. The competition, run by the Evening Mail's parent company CN Group, identifies businesses with growth potential and rewards them with £10,000-worth of advertising in CN Group titles. The accountancy firm Lamont Pridmore, which sponsored the competition, provided mentoring.

Mr Barker said: "Like any small business, marketing isn't always at the forefront of your mind. To be able to plan a campaign with someone like CN Group and not having to put your own money into it is great."

The Barkers have also worked with students from the Staffordshire University who helped them create a video, which is set to be uploaded to YouTube.

They have also been contacted by Lancaster University with a view to providing work placements.