Derbyshire firms shortlisted in competition to find Britain's best rural businesses

Companies from across Derbyshire have been shortlisted in a competition to find the best rural businesses in the UK.

Five firms based in the county have been named as finalists in the regional stages of the Rural Business Awards - the winners of which will be put forward for the national titles.

Prus Shoes, in Melbourne, Upcycled Creative, in Matlock, MacMartin Creative, in Derby, Griffin Narrowboat Holidays, in Ripley and Hard Days Knight, in Scropton, have all been shortlisted for the 2019/2020 Rural Business Awards, held in partnership with Amazon.

They will battle it out against fellow rural businesses, entrepreneurs and enterprises from across the region for a place at the national final.

Prus Shoes and Upcycled Creative will go head-to-head in the Best Rural Creative, Artisan or Crafts Business category.

Hard Days Knight, which organises activities for hen and stag parties, is up for the Best Rural Tourism Business award (Wilkinson Photography)

Prus is a small rural company specialising in creating bespoke keepsakes, while Upcycled Creative repurposes reclaimed and recycled materials into unique pieces of furniture and lighting with a vintage twist.

MacMartin Creative has been shortlisted in the Best Rural Digital, Communications or Media Business category, while Griffin Narrowboat Holidays, which offers self-catering accommodation aboard a narrowboat, will go up against Hard Days Knight, a bespoke hen and stag do business, in the Best Rural Tourism Business category.

Griffin Narrowboat Holidays has been shortlisted in the same category as Hard Days Knight (Griffin Narrowboat Holidays)

The regional final will be held at University of Nottingham on October 4, with the national final taking place early next year.

Greg Knight, from Hard Days Knight, said: “It’s fantastic to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award.

“The Rural Business Awards are the Oscars of the rural community and being shortlisted is a huge boost for everyone in our business.

“I think it’s great that Amazon shines a spotlight on the rural community through these awards and we’re all really excited to attend the ceremony later in the year.”

Director and co-founder of the Rural Business Awards, Anna Price, said: “The 2019/2020 awards have seen record numbers of entries and it’s encouraging to see so many rural businesses express a desire to celebrate their successes on a regional and national scale.”