Building society backs Gazette business awards

The high profile awards will give a platform to the huge number of innovative firms which work in the Cumbria and north Lancashire area.

This week Mr Barringer, the Cumberland Building Society’s head of business, gave them his full support and said his organisation would be sponsoring the Bed and Breakfast of the Year award.

He said: "It’s important to the economy and to everyone employed in the tourism sector that Cum-brian enterprise thrives. These awards will raise the profile of the industry.

"There’s plenty of strong service led bed and break-fasts and standards keep on improving all the time."

Categories in the awards – run in association with the Northwest Development Agency – include the Hotel of the Year, Innovation and Technology, Tourist Attraction and Business of the Year.

They are open to firms, large, medium and small, across all sectors as we look for businesses and individuals who make a vital contribution to the local economy through their endeavours.

Two newly-elected MPs have also declared their support for the awards.

Morecambe and Lunesdale MP David Morris, who is a successful entrepreneur in his own right after establishing a successful chain of hairdressers and a small commercial property business, said: “I am delighted that the Gazette is launching these awards.

"Before entering politics I was a small businessman and understand the challenges local businesses face and also their contribution to our community.

"We must recognise and encourage entrepreneurial spirit."

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said: “It's brilliant to have something which celebrates and showcases all the different kinds of businesses throughout the area.

“There's such a depth and breadth of talent across Cumbria and if we can provide the right environment and support for innovative and cutting edge companies then we can bring a whole new generation of high skilled jobs to the area."