THE winners for the very first Bay Living Awards were revealed last night at a glittering ceremony in Lancaster University's great hall.
The major awards event saw hundreds of entries and nominations considered by a judging panel of key local figures and business leaders. The event was organised in partnership with Bay Living magazine and The Bay Radio as a celebration of everything that is special about the Morecambe Bay region.
Hosted by The Bay Radio's breakfast presenter Danny Matthews, 350 guests were in attendance, with live coverage on air and online throughout the evening.
Richard Eccles, editor of Bay Living magazine, said: “When we launched this new lifestyle magazine five months ago, we promised to pack it full of the best positive stories about the people, places and businesses in this lovely part of the world. Judging by the amount of nominations for the awards this evening, and the calibre of every one of our finalists, we definitely won’t be short of stories for the months and years to come.
“Though I know the Bay well, and have lived and worked in and around this area all of my life, I am constantly excited by the things that are going on here. It’s an area with a growing identity and I hope that the new Bay Living Awards will play a part in celebrating everything that makes this place very special, putting it even more firmly on the map.”
From small businesses to charities, and apprentices to bosses, some great people and organisations were honoured.
Bill Johnston, managing director of The Bay radio station, congratulated all the finalists before the winners were revealed. He said: "With more than 400 entries and nominations across the 24 categories, all the finalists we chose really stood out across North Lancashire and South Cumbria. The judges decided they were the very best in their field.
"The event was a great opportunity for all of our finalists to position themselves at the heart of the community, inspire their workforce, promote their values and civic identity and raise their brand and profile with our readers and listeners all at the same time."
The Bay Living Awards' three associate sponsors were Lancaster University, Electricity North West and United Utilities. The category sponsors were Holdens Solicitors, Wilson’s Fresh Produce, Lancaster and District Chamber of Commerce, Lancaster City Council, Lancaster and Morecambe College, and Invest In South Lakeland, the economic development arm of South Lakes District Council, and there was additional support from Westgate Tyres.
The full list of winners and finalists is:
Best Professional Service, sponsored by Lancaster and District Chamber Of Commerce
WINNER: Reid Hamilton & Co, Lancaster
Finalist: Professional Help Ltd, Carnforth
Finalist: Harrison Pit Architects, Lancaster
Best Restaurant, sponsored by Wilson’s Fresh Produce
WINNER: Hipping Hall, Cowan Bridge
Finalist: The Morecambe Hotel, Morecambe
Finalist: L'enclume, Cartmel
Best Customer Service, sponsored by Invest in South Lakeland
WINNER: Silver Tree Jewellery, Lancaster
Finalist: Black Bear I.T. Solutions, Lancaster
Finalist: Reid Hamilton & Co, Lancaster
Finalist: Brew Me Sunshine, Morecambe
Best Visitor Attraction or Event, sponsored by United Utilities
WINNER: Morecambe Carnival
Finalist: Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
Finalist: Carnforth Station Heritage Centre
Best Use Of Creativity, sponsored by Lancaster University
WINNER: Cumbria Constabulary
Finalist: Carolyn Walker from Carolyn’s Art in Lancaster
Finalist: Claire Tillotson at Hatch in Lancaster
Best Business Team, sponsored by Lancaster City Council
WINNER: Howson Interiors trading as Lakeland Kitchens in Kendal
Finalist: Coco Hair and Beauty in Barrow
Finalist: Wink Networking in Carnforth
Best Community Focus, sponsored by Holdens Solicitors
WINNER: Sustainability Morecambe
Finalist: North West Ambulance Service – Community First Responders
Finalist: CAMP Cumbria in Coniston
Apprentice Of The Year, sponsored by Lancaster and Morecambe College
WINNER: Dan Rutherford from Logs Direct in Halton
Finalist: Rustom English from Net* Development Limited in Kendal
Finalist: Emma Lund from Lancaster University
The Innovation Award, sponsored by Electricity North West
WINNER: Stephenson’s Dairy in Morecambe
Finalist: Adrian Coates from Beetham Holiday Homes
Finalist: CAMP Cumbria in Coniston
Small Independent Retailer, sponsored by Lancaster and District Chamber Of Commerce
WINNER: Silver Tree Jewellery, Lancaster
Finalist: Little Beasties, Ulverston
Finalist: Begin With Nature, Kendal
Best Coffee Shop or Café, sponsored by Wilson’s Fresh Produce
WINNER: Elaine’s Tea Room in Feizor, near Austwick
Highly commended: Brew Me Sunshine in Morecambe
Finalist: Buccelli’s in Lancaster
Best Local Charity, sponsored by United Utilities
WINNER: Cancer Care at Slynedales
Finalist: Tigerlily Trust in Grange Over Sands
Finalist: North West Air Ambulance
Best Boss, sponsored by Holdens Solicitors
WINNER: Susan Robinson, Nanny Brow Luxury B&B, Ambleside
Finalist: Rebecca Rawlings, Women's Community Matters, Barrow
Finalist: Annette Ritson, Net* Developments, Kendal
Best Celebration Venue, sponsored by Electricity North West
WINNER: The Midland Hotel, Morecambe
Finalist: Abbey House Hotel & Gardens, Barrow
Finalist: The Daffodil Hotel & Spa, Grasmere
The Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by Lancaster City Council
WINNER: David Unsworth in Cartmel
Finalist: Hydropaws in Morecambe
Finalist: Carolyn Walker from Carolyn’s Art in Lancaster
Employee Of The Year Award, sponsored by Invest in South Lakeland
WINNER: Rachael Wilkinson from Lancaster BID
Finalist: Joanne Nelson from Slate Bar in Kendal
Finalist: Michael Jones from Animal Care in Lancaster
Best Place To Stay (Hotel or B&B)
WINNER: Nanny Brow Luxury B&B in Ambleside
Finalist: Abbey House Hotel and Gardens in Barrow
Finalist: The Midland in Morecambe
Best Country Pub
WINNER: The Blacksmiths Arms, Broughton Mills
Finalist: The Wild Boar at Crook
Finalist: The Silverdale Hotel
Best Town / City Pub or Bar
WINNER: Slate Bar in Kendal
Finalist: The Sun Hotel and Bar in Lancaster
Finalist: Masons Yard 24 in Kendal
Best Arts or Entertainment Venue
WINNER: The Dukes, Lancaster
Highly commended: The Grand Theatre, Lancaster
Finalist: More Music, Morecambe
Best Hair Salon
WINNER: Cabello Hair Lounge, Carnforth
Finalist: Jo & Cass, Lancaster
Finalist: Daniel Gray Hair & Beauty, Kendal
Best Health and Fitness Centre
WINNER: 3-1-5 Health Club, Lancaster
Finalist: Bayfit Ltd, Morecambe
Finalist: MFKB Mauy Thai, Kendal
Best Beauty Business
WINNER: Jo & Cass in Lancaster
Finalist: Bare Skin LTD in Morecambe
Finalist: Sue Shields Health & Beauty Studio in Carnforth
Ambassador Of The Year
David & Carla Brayshaw, Morecambe Carnival
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