in-Cumbria Business Awards - Best Family Business shortlist

Best Family Business – Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore

CHC Group, Kendal

CHC Group, originally founded as Cumbria Heating Components in February 1978 by Tony and Jen Garnett, began as a small parts merchant operating from the couple's living room in Kendal. Tony, a heating engineer, identified a market gap for a parts supplier in the area, and from these humble beginnings, CHC has expanded to six branches across the North West, from Carlisle to Wrexham.

Now run by their children, Rhys and Jo, who took over in 2009, the business has continued to flourish. CHC has grown from a local supplier of heating spares and components to a national firm, catering to both small plumbing businesses and large commercial enterprises. With two branches in Cumbria, including its head office in Kendal, CHC maintains a strong local presence.

The family ethos remains central to CHC’s identity, with the third generation, including Jo's son Bobby, set to join full-time in July 2024. Rhys and Jo’s other children are also eager to contribute to the family-run business upon completing their education. This family culture is reflected throughout the company; many employees have been with CHC for over 30 years, contributing to a low staff turnover and a supportive, close-knit working environment.

CHC actively invests in its community, sponsoring local sports teams, including Kendal Golf Club and children's grassroots football teams. As specialist suppliers of heating equipment components, CHC also manufactures custom-made water booster sets and pump units at its Kendal site.

Holgates Caravan Parks Ltd, Silverdale

Holgates Caravan Parks is a family-owned business that has been operated by four generations of the Holgates family since its founding in 1956. What began as a single caravan site on the Lancashire borders (20 years before the creation of Cumbria) has grown into one of the UK's leading holiday park businesses, employing nearly 200 staff across 10 award-winning sites. The company’s head office remains in its original location in Silverdale, Cumbria, while its parks span across South Cumbria and North Lancashire.

Holgates offers a range of holiday accommodation for rent or purchase at its parks in the North West of England.

The parks have consistently ranked among the best in the country, frequently being recognised as the best in the UK. The Holgates family has demonstrated responsible stewardship of the land and assets they have developed, earning a strong reputation for quality, dependability, and trustworthiness.

The business has always emphasised buying and employing locally, long before these became common practices. Its success is attributed to high staff and customer retention, with a family ethos extending to a loyal workforce and customer base, many of whom are also multi-generational.

Holgates has also been a pioneer in sustainable tourism, being one of the first parks to achieve a Gold standard in the David Bellamy Conservation Awards, a status it has maintained across all its sites. The company has expanded steadily through multiple recessions, without external investment, remaining a key economic driver for the local area and wider region.

Stollers, Barrow-in-Furness

Stollers is an independent, family-run furniture store in Barrow, owned and managed by four generations of the Stoller family since its founding in 1905.

Initially established as a market stall, the business has grown significantly under the stewardship of the Stoller family and is now one of the largest independent furniture stores in the region, also known for its popular café. Today, the business is managed by Lee Stoller and his wife Catherine, alongside their daughters Didi and Eden, who are deeply involved in its day-to-day operations and consider it a second home.

The Stoller family is passionate about their business and its role in the Barrow and wider Cumbrian community, fostering a strong sense of family ethos throughout. This commitment is evident in their dedication to staff, many of whom have remained with the business for long periods, and their ongoing support for local causes, such as the local hospice that cares for families in the area.

Stollers has been providing high-quality furniture, from sofas to dining tables, for nearly 120 years, always prioritising their customers and community. The business has thrived by keeping family values at its core, ensuring a personal touch that resonates with both staff and customers alike.

Stollers exemplifies a family-run independent business, maintaining its family ownership for almost 120 years—an exceptional achievement that reflects its enduring commitment to quality, community, and family values.