Teesdale celebrated its best local businesses last week at the annual Teesdale Business Awards.

The event, held at The Witham in Barnard Castle, saw some of the area's most successful businesses and entrepreneurs recognised for their achievements.

Nominations for the event were submitted during the summer and a shortlist of 36 organisations chosen in 12 categories.

The twelve awards focused on business in Teesdale, from new and emerging businesses, to established businesses, those expanding and trading beyond the area, and the apprentices and entrepreneurs who are destined for great things in the future.

Event organiser Peter Dixon said: “It was a real delight to celebrate the success of local businesses from the Teesdale area.

“There is clearly an entrepreneurial spirit in the area with businesses old and new winning wonderful plaudits from the sponsors who judged each category.”

Among the winners were Howell Media, who scooped the Best Business and saw their own Issy Roughan win Entrepreneur of the Year.

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High Farm Holiday Park was named the best new business, while TCR Hub won the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion category – which was new for 2023.

The event last Thursday (November 23) was presented by Teesdale Development Corporation director John Atkinson and voice over artist Emma Hignett, with a guest speech from Lord Barnard.

See the full shortlist and winners (highlighted in bold) below:

Apprentice of the Year –Sponsored by Teesdale Renewables Ltd

Leon Blackburn (Mark Gibson Motor Services)
Liam Lapham (Teesdale Renewables Ltd)
Izzy Sloan (GSK)

Entrepreneur of the Year - Sponsored by Tilly Bailey & Irvine Law Firm

Daniel Howson (Howsons Heating Services Ltd)
Craig Huddart (Rocket Heritage & Archaeology Ltd)
Issy Roughan (Howell Media)

Social Responsibility - Sponsored by The Greenfields

Embleton Interiors Ltd
TCR Hub
What Sue Grew, Made and Found

Best Community Engagement - Sponsored by Raby Castle

Startforth Morritt Memorial Community Centre
Teesdale Day Clubs
YMCA Teesdale

Most Innovative Business - Sponsored by Howell Media

Blagraves (Bleak Houses Interiors, Homes & Décor Ltd)
The Butty Market
Palmers Plants, Flowers & Besp-Oak Creations

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - Sponsored by GSK

Abbeyfield Barnard Castle
TCR Hub
The Witham

Best Business Trading Outside of Teesdale  - Sponsored by Technimark

Howell Media
Perfect Print and Promotions Ltd
Tall Tales Mysteries

Growth Business of the Year  - Sponsored by Business Durham

Gelato Tutti Ltd
McGarry & Co
Rocket Heritage & Archaeology Ltd

Best Customer Focus - Sponsored by Towergate Insurance

Blossom Home Care Teesdale & Weardale
Nobia & Sons
Vere Road Garage

Best Social Enterprise - Sponsored by Barnard Castle School

Making Memories
Play@Cotherstone
YMCA Teesdale

Best New Business - Sponsored by Blossom Homecare Teesdale and Weardale

Blagraves (Bleak Houses, Interiors, Homes & Décor Ltd)
High Farm Holiday Park Ltd
Rocket Heritage & Archaeology Ltd

Best Business - Sponsored by Teesdale Cheesemakers

Gelato Tutti Ltd
Howell Media
McGarry & Co