“It’s all for our customers,” they said – and their customers returned the favour by making them winners in the inaugural Cumbria Life Readers’ Choice Awards.

Readers nominated, then voted for, their favourites in hospitality, attractions, shops, ethical businesses, fundraisers and finally their Cumbrian of the Year.

After collecting their prizes, many of the winners spoke of their motivation to please customers and to give them a good experience.

Among them was Benjamin Gregg, who runs the Crafty Ba’a in Keswick with his mum and dad Vince and Lisa, and won the award for the best bar or pub. He said: “It’s absolutely amazing. It’s a pleasure to have been in this line-up so thank you to everyone who voted for us.

“It’s a small business and we do it for the customers. We tried to create something that was totally different from everywhere else, a home from home but being out in a social environment. It’s worked and we do it for the customers’ experience.”

Aidan Monks, of winner Lovingly Artisan, said: “We are focusing on customers locally and keeping it local because we are very proud to be a Cumbrian producer. A readers’ award is very, very important so we are really pleased.”

James Hill, chef patron of Lounge on the Green, at Houghton, near Carlisle, who picked up the best fine dining award to add to his earning a place in the prestigious Michelin guide this year, said: “It’s taken 14 years to get them [Michelin] to come and eat in one of my restaurants. I would like to get a star but it’s not the be all and end all. It’s about the customers and enjoying it. This means a lot to the staff.”

The awards were established as a brand-new way to honour the people and places that make Cumbria special, recognising excellence, innovation and popularity.

More than 140 guests, including representatives from the finalists in each category and sponsors, were invited to attend a glittering celebration dinner and awards presentation held at Carus Green Golf Club, near Kendal, and hosted by television presenter Kate Walby.

The winner of the Cumbrian of the Year accolade was former Cumbria Life columnist Hunter Davies.

He was unable to attend the ceremony but in a video message said: “I feel grateful for the education and pleasure I have had being a Carlisle person.”

Colleagues from Cumbria Tourism and Cumbria Wildlife Trust paid tribute to Hunter describing him as a “great ambassador” for the county.

Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, added: “Hunter is synonymous with Cumbria and proudly Cumbrian even though he doesn’t live here any longer. He has such a passion for the place; he has entertained us all and he is part of the fabric of Cumbria.”

Another popular winner was Kerry Irving and Max Out in the Lakes, honoured as the best fundraiser.

Together with his springer spaniels, Max, Paddy and Harry, Kerry has raised over £585,000 for charity after the family shot to worldwide fame.

Kerry credited Max – named ‘the miracle dog’ – with saving his life when he went into a deep depression following a car accident, and their walks, posted on social media, inspired many for the way Max lifted his owner and others through tough times.

Max sadly died in April and a statue to his memory stands in Hope Park, Keswick. The money raised in his name has gone to several charities including Hope Park, the Great North Air Ambulance, the upkeep of footpaths in the Lake District, the PDSA, Mountain Rescue Search Dogs and Scotty’s Little Soldiers for bereaved children who have lost parents while serving with the Armed Forces, for which Kerry is planning another fundraising walk in November.

“I happen to be the front man but I just pass on the money we are given. Behind us there is a large online community that supports us in every charity walk we do. It’s very humbling.

“It’s incredible that people have taken the time out of their lives to nominate us and that we get so much support through the dogs. People tell us their stories of how the dogs have helped them through tough times. It’s the incredible power of the dogs that gets people to talk.”

Low Sizergh Barn was announced as the ethical, responsible and sustainable business of the year.

Owned by the Park family, their passion for farming, food and the countryside is reflected in the farm shop and café which has attracted many accolades since opening in 1991.

Alison Park said: “We are dairy farmers and stewards of the land. We’ve been farming in South Cumbria for many generations on my dad’s side and three generations are working on the farm now. It’s all about the future. Farming is slow; it’s not about the short term. It’s about looking to the future and working with nature to produce good food for our community.

“It’s a very difficult time for a lot of our citizens. We all have choices, if we are lucky, about where we choose to spend our hard-earned money. We are also conscious about being a shop window for all the amazing producers.”

Brockhole on Windermere won the award for best large visitor attraction. General manager Sam Mason said: “It’s about the journey of where we have come from; we’re not sure we’re the best bit we are an awful lot better than we were and that’s what we’re really proud of.”

He said by focusing on the customer experience the centre had seen a significant increase in turnover and he urged any visitors who had not been in the past five years to return and see the improvements.

Other winners were the Punch Bowl Inn at Crosthwaite; The Coast Office at Arnside; the Muddy Duck café in Caldbeck; Carlisle Turkish Baths; and Alhambra Cinema, Keswick.

For more pictures and winners’ stories, see the November issue of Cumbria Life, out on October 14.

THE WINNERS AND FINALISTS:

BEST CAFÉ OR COFFEE SHOP sponsored by Carvetii Coffee Ltd

WINNER - Muddy Duck Café & Tearoom

Arnside Beach Hut

Crofton Hall Coffee Shop

BEST CASUAL DINING EXPERIENCE sponsored by Pioneer Food Service

WINNER - Punch Bowl Inn, Crosthwaite

Hare & Hounds, Bowland Bridge

The Fleece, Ruleholme

BEST FINE DINING EXPERIENCE sponsored by The Globe

WINNER - Lounge on the Green, Houghton

Allium at Askham Hall

Rogan & Co

BEST PUB OR BAR sponsored by LOCALiQ

WINNER - The Crafty Ba’a, Keswick

Oddfelllows Arms, Caldbeck

The Spinners Arms, Cummersdale

ARTISAN PRODUCER OF THE YEAR sponsored by The Halston

WINNER - Lovingly Artisan

Lakeland Mues

Pie Demand

INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR sponsored by David Allen 

WINNER - The Coast Office

Cakes -u- Crave

Lily Oliver

BEST LARGE TOURIST ATTRACTION sponsored by Cumbria Tourism

WINNER - Brockhole on Windermere

The Lakes Distillery

Muncaster Castle

BEST SMALL TOURIST ATTRACTION sponsored by Carus Green Golf Club

WINNER - Carlisle Turkish Baths

Hope Park Gardens & Café

Blackwell Arts & Crafts House

BEST ARTS/CULTURE VENUE sponsored by University of Cumbria 

WINNER - Alhambra Cinema, Keswick

Upfront Arts Venue

Silverdale and Arnside Art and Craft Trail

ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR sponsored by LOCALiQ

WINNER - Low Sizergh Barn

Shed 1 Distillery

Kendal Calling

FUNDRAISING FEAT OF THE YEAR sponsored by Local iQ

WINNER - Kerry Irving, Max out in the Lake District

Pat Prosser

Wayne Singleton

CUMBRIAN OF THE YEAR sponsored by Cumbria Life

Hunter Davies