Would you relish the prospect of running a business with your family?

For many people, the thought of doing that would be the stuff of nightmares, but it clearly appeals to an awful lot of people.

Nowadays, six out of ten businesses are now family run, and they are the fastest growing of all the enterprises in the country. The contribution they make not just to employment, but to the British economy is staggering.

So what makes them so popular and so successful?

Well, family run businesses are built on very sturdy foundations; passion, heritage and strong family values. They recognize the need for a more personal connection with their customers, they don’t just want to make money (although that’s why they exist) they want to form long standing relationships with their customers; based on trust and excellent service. This are things that large corporations can’t do, and family run businesses (if run properly) can turn this to their advantage, as it’s these things that really appeal and resonate with the public. In fact family owned businesses are twice as trusted by members of the public as listed companies.

To recognise the strength and diversity of family run firms, Family Business United are once again on the search to find the Family Run Business of the Year for 2016.

Family Business United is an award winning magazine and resource centre, and have run this competition for the last 4 years. The awards are open to family run businesses of any size and from any industry.

This year 15 firms have been nominated from the North, and seven of them herald from South Cumbria.

The awards are open to family run businesses of any size and from any industry.

The super seven nominees are: Playdale Playgrounds, of Haverthwaite, which designs, manufactures and installs outdoor playground equipment both nationally and internationally. Hawkshead Relish, Low Sizergh Barn (a farm shop, tea room and craft shop in Kendal).  English Lakes Hotels Resorts (whose impressive portfolio includes Low Wood Bay hotel and Marina at Windermere) The Heart of the Lakes, who rents cottages, lodges and apartments in the Lake District; the Dale Lodge Hotel in Grasmere and Nanny Brow, a luxury B&B in Ambleside. 

The results will be decided by an online vote and the decision of a judging panel. All the shortlisted firms are also in the running for the People’s Choice Award which is based solely on the public vote.

Finalists in the sector categories will be announced in the Spring, with the awards coming to a climax on June 2 at The Mayfair Hotel in London, where the winners will be crowned.

Good luck to all those fabulous family firms that have been nominated, it’s very well deserved!

To find out more about the awards, and details about how to vote please visit www.familybusinessunited.com