Representatives of family businesses from the North West of England came together last Friday, 6th March for the inaugural North West Family Business Awards event in association with Enterprise Answers, dedicated to celebrating the sector in the region.

Now the winners will go forward to the National Family Business Awards held in London on June 4.

The North West Family Business Awards were hosted by food writer and presenter Nigel Barden and took place under the wings of Concorde, in the purpose-built hangar and events centre at Manchester Airport.

Sue Howorth, Founder and co-director of The Family Business Network and The North West Family Business Awards said: “This has been a fantastic event, which really has celebrated the great work that family businesses do, enriching their local communities and the country’s economy.

“The response from the business sector and the public has been fantastic for this inaugural event. We had 192 entries across the 11 categories from across the region including Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cumbria.

“It was a tough job for the judges as the standard of entries was so high. The support from the public who helped select the winners of the People’s Choice and Employee of the Year was outstanding. We had over 4,530 votes for the People’s Choice and over 3,350 for the Employee of the Year! Thank you to each person who took the time to cast their vote.”

Co-director, Dave Clarkson added: “We would like to thank all our sponsors, judges and the events team for their incredible support that made this fantastic event possible – and also a big thank you to all those who entered the awards this year.”

Jacqui Jackson from Thomas Jardine & Co and 2020 North West Awards Chair of Judges said: “The number and quality of applications from across the North West have been outstanding. The businesses are clearly proud to be family businesses, and the detail in many of the entries has demonstrated that they are very progressive and innovative.”

Sue added: “We look forward to sharing more details of our 2021 awards being held on March 5.”

Winners of The North West Family Business Awards 2020 are:

Business & Community:  Stan Sherlock Associates Ltd

Property & Construction: Story Decorating Group Ltd

Emerging Family Business: The Milking Parlour

Food and Drink Establishments: Atkinsons Coffee Roasters – J Atkinson & Co

Food and Drink Producers: Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses

Wholesalers: Dunsters Farm Ltd

Retailers: Bluebell Fitted Furniture

Large Manufacturing & Engineering: George Cox & Sons Ltd

Small Manufacturing & Engineering: First Trace Heating Direct Ltd

Transport & Logistics: Spencer Graham Coaches Ltd

Large Leisure & Tourism: Partington’s Holiday Centres

Small  leisure & Tourism: Upfront Arts Venue

Science & Technology: Kendal Nutricare

People’s Choice:

Cumbria: – Penningtons Tea & Coffee and Choose Occupational Health as there was a tie-breaker in the scores.

Lancashire: Pendle Doors Ltd

Cheshire: Compassionate Care

Merseyside: – JJ Smith & Co (Woodworking Machinery) Ltd

Greater Manchester: Direct 2 Florist

Non-Family Leader:  Marnie Millard OBE of Nichols PLC

Judges Award:  JJ Smith & Co (Woodworking Machinery) Ltd

Employee of the Year: Mark Porter of Higginsons of Grange

North West Family Business of the Year: Partington’s Holiday Centres