The North West Family Business Awards 2026 ceremony was a night to remember as the regional champions were crowned in front of a packed audience of over 400 on Friday 8th May 2026. This highly anticipated event celebrated the success and accomplishments of family-owned businesses throughout the region.

Organised by The Family Business Community, the North West Family Business Awards were held at The Rum Warehouse, Titanic Hotel, Liverpool. On the guest list were some of the most illustrious names within the North West family business sector, including entrepreneurs and industry experts, who all came together to recognise the achievements of the North West’s most innovative and successful family businesses.

The process of reviewing and selecting this year’s entries proved to be challenging and deeply rewarding for the judges, due to the exceptionally high calibre of entries. There were 22 categories in total, which included sector-specific categories, the People’s Choice and Employee of the Year Awards, which were decided by both public votes and judges’ scores, and our overall North West Family Business of the Year, which this year was presented to Skelmersdale based family business Mellors Catering Services.

The awards were presented by food writer, broadcaster and proud northerner Nigel Barden, along with co-founders of the Family Business Community, Dave Clarkson & Sue Howorth, who expressed their delight at the success of the event:

“We always want to create an unforgettable experience for all attendees, and bringing the awards back to Liverpool added an extra layer of magic to the occasion. The turnout was our largest to date and the energy in the room was incredible. We’re so grateful to everyone who came out to support the awards and recognise the hard work and dedication of our North West family businesses. It was truly an unforgettable night for everyone in the room!

We would like to give thanks to our judges, events team, our sponsors, and all the incredible individuals and family businesses who participated in our awards. Your support and dedication made this event a tremendous success once again, and we are truly grateful.”

The full list of winners for the North West Family Business Awards 2026:

Construction, Property & Engineering – (Large)

N.L Williams, St Helens, Merseyside

Construction, Property & Engineering – (Small)

Harrison Contract Tiling, Widnes, Merseyside

Business Services

Tech 4 Office, Carlisle, Cumbria

Consumer Services

Instascan 4d Baby, Burnley, Lancashire

Manufacturing Excellence

Mellors Catering Services, Skelmersdale, Lancashire

Transport, Haulage & Logistics

Huntapac, Preston, Lancashire

Wholesalers

Ribble Farm Fare, Preston, Lancashire

Retailers & E-tailers

Equip 2 Clean, Knowsley, Merseyside

Food & Drink Producers (Large)

Morris Quality Bakers, Chorley, Lancashire

Food & Drink Producers (Small)

Shed One Distillery, Ulverston, Cumbria

Food & Drink Establishments

Café Ambio, Flookborugh, Cumbria

Leisure & Tourism

Savvy Collective, Chester, Cheshire

Emerging Family Business

Mercury Lifts, Middlewich, Cheshire

Environmental & Sustainability Impact Award

Maxilead Metals, Manchester

Social Impact Award (Large)

Pro Care Shower & Bathroom Centre, Wigan, Greater Manchester

Social Impact Award (Small)

Bold Veterinary Clinic, St Helens, Merseyside

People’s Choice Award

Gluten Free Kitchen, Stockport, Greater Manchester

Employee of the Year

Victoria Halligan of Professional Carers, Wallasey, Merseyside

Next Generation Impact Award

Craig Shaw of Sure Solutions, Birkenhead, Merseyside

Family Business Leadership Award

Justin Burton of Butlers Farmhouse Cheese, Preston, Lancashire

The Judges Award

Longstaffes Flooring, Liverpool, Merseyside

North West Family Business of The Year

Mellors Catering Services, Skelmersdale, Lancashire

To find out more about how you and your business can be involved in supporting and promoting family business across the North West, please visit the North West Family Business Awards website https://www.northwestfamilybusinessawards.co.uk

About The Family Business Community
The Family Business Community is a trusted and engaged network bringing together family-owned businesses across the UK and rest of World. We provide opportunities for connections to other family businesses, support, and celebration through events, peer networks, shared resources and knowledge transfer. You can learn more and explore how to become part of the community by visiting Family Business Community – The Family Business Community

Press Contact:

Sue Howorth – 07866 536 050

Email: sue@fambizcommunity.com