Copeland Pride 2011 - Winners:

THE BLACKSMITHS RESTAURANT, BIGRIGG: Offers some of the best food in the borough. The friendliness of the staff is outstanding, the ambience just right and the hosts help with their vast product knowledge. Local produce cooked to perfection.

 

THE shortlist of finalists for the Copeland Pride Awards were drawn up and published in the Whitehaven News earlier this year. The annual awards recognising business excellence were judged, ahead of an awards ceremony on March 25th 2011. The awards are sponsored by NMP; LLWR; UKAEA and Copeland Borough Council. The judges had deliberated on the public’s nominations in six categories – Best Place to Eat, Best Place to Stay, Best Place to Drink, Best Place to Shop, Best Business and Environmental Achievement Award.

The awards were organised by Copeland Borough Council, and sponsored by Nuclear Management Partners, Sellafield Ltd, LLWR Ltd, Copeland Borough Council and The Whitehaven News, and were celebrated in April at Egremont Market Hall.

Council leader Elaine Woodburn, who was MC for the award presentations, said there had been a record number of nominations this year.

And she told the businesspeople assembled for the awards ceremony: “You have all made the final shortlist, so are winners already.”

Awards were presented by Councillor Mike McVeigh, the mayor of Copeland; Graham Campbell, general manager of Nuclear Management Partners; Paul Walker, chief executive of Copeland Borough Council; Dick Raaz, managing director of LLWR Ltd; Michael Haymer, environmental project manager at Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency; and Colin Edgar, editor of The Whitehaven News.

Dr Wright said: “We are delighted to support and sponsor an event that showcases the best of what Copeland has to offer and gives due credit to the marvellous achievements of businesses and individuals across the borough.

“The large number of entries and worthy winners demonstrates the level of effort and dedication that individuals put in, on a daily basis, to make their businesses a success.

“It was with great pleasure that we were able to help in celebrating that success.”