A local company is in the running to be named one of the best rural businesses in the UK after being shortlisted for a Rural Business Award.

Newlands Adventure Centre & Keswick Climbing Wall from Keswick has been shortlisted in theBest Rural Recreational or Outdoor Pursuits Business categoryat the 2020/21 Rural Business Awards, held in partnership with Amazon. The local company will battle it out against fellow rural businesses, entrepreneurs and enterprises from across the country for the chance to be named a national winner.

Based on the outskirts of Keswick, Newlands Adventure Centre and Keswick Climbing Wall is a multi-award winning centre, which facilitates outdoor activity adventures and experiences for school trips, groups, families and individuals. With outdoor adventures, indoor activities and the very popular Rookery Woods Adventure Play for mini adventurers, there is something for all the family, rain or shine.

The Rural Business Awards 2020/21, in partnership with Amazon, will mark the Awards’ sixth year of celebrating the success of businesses across the UK’s rural economy. The Awards are organised by rural business for rural business with the aim of celebrating the achievements of rural businesses and developing a strong network for rural business owners.

Speaking after being shortlisted for an award, Debbie Beament, Director said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for the third year running in the national finals of The Rural Business Awards. After bring runners up in the 2018 / 2019 national awards and then winning the national final for 2019 / 2020, I was not expecting to get the nod for this year. This acknowledgement is even more special this year as the outdoor activity industry has been decimated this year by the pandemic but with hard work by our amazing staff, careful management and detailed planning for winter, means that we are still here on a solid base and ready to hit the ground running when we are allowed to open. To have hard work this acknowledged by our peers is just amazing after what has been a stressful year so far”.

Director and Co-Founder of The Rural Business Awards, Jemma Clifford, said:“This year has been an unprecedented challenge for businesses across the country but we have still had a fantastic amount of entries from rural businesses, showing the true determination of people working in the rural economy. Here at the Rural Business Awards we remain committed to our vision of showcasing the fantastic work of rural businesses and believe that it has never been more important than now. On behalf of the RBA team, we want to say well done to Newlands Adventure Centre & Keswick Climbing Wall, and all the shortlisted businesses, and wish them luck ahead of the national final.”

The Rural Business Awards is the brainchild of Leicestershire businesswomen Anna Price and Jemma Clifford, who wanted to showcase the wealth of entrepreneurial talent in rural areas of Britain.

The Awards are organised by rural business for rural business, with winners in the 13 categories - ranging from Best Rural Start-up and Best Rural Diversification Project; through to Best Rural Professional Services Business and Best Rural Innovation - decided by an independent panel of judges drawn from the rural business sector, rural public sector agencies, and rural charitable organisations.

The Rural Business Awards will be hosting an online National Final on Thursday 25th February 2021.

To find out more about Newlands Adventure Centre & Keswick Climbing Wall go to www.activity-centre.com.