THE award-winning company have pushed through the challenges of lockdown to welcome back the public and gain its latest nomination.

The Hawkshead Relish Company, located in the Square in Hawkshead, have reopened for business after the easing of lockdown restrictions on April 12.

Upon reopening the team discovered they had been shortlisted as finalists in the Town & County Business Champions Awards 2021.

During Covid, the company have used their time in lockdown to build a greater range of products and create new partnerships with our organisations.

A spokesperson for Hawkshead Relish said: “Covid-19 has thrown up several challenges for the business, especially linked to the hospitality and wholesale sectors. However, because we've more than one focus we were able to pivot and work to develop online sales and social media outputs to increase visibility and our customer base, revamp our website, and overall customer engagements through newsletters and targeting.

“We've continued to build our white label offer developing new product ranges for several clients.

“We have also worked collaboratively to reach new audiences including one established with Warburtons, in June 2020, to retail their Gluten Free products through our website. In July we developed a click and collect option to our home delivery service. We launched a new range of table sauces in September 2020, through our website and selected retailers, winning a number of Great Taste Awards along the way.

“We've also worked on our succession planning with Sue Howarth from the Family Business Network, enhancing the skills of our daughter Izzy and General Manager Jonathan Robb through a programme of training and development to equip them with the skills to look at the future business strategically and operationally.”

The Town & County Business Champions Awards was launched in January and designed to highlight the achievements of the UK’s very best micro and small businesses who have been and are continuing to keep community spirit alive in their local area.

Maria Whitehead co-owner and director of Hawkshead Relish commented: ‘’As a small rural business we are hugely proud of what we do. Like so many small rural businesses, we aren’t just about creating jobs.

“There is much more to it than that. We aim to provide very real opportunities for our local communities, we help to keep them strong and together, we build strong associations and friendships and by doing so become are an integral part of where we live and work.’’

The team will discover the results on July 14.

Awards director Damian Cummins said: “Recently perhaps, more than ever, we have learnt to appreciate our local independent businesses.

“The Business Champions are all about the story of our small local businesses and all that they do in their communities.

“These are truly local, transparent awards, celebrating local success stories.”