A HEXHAM-BASED company has been named one of the best rural businesses in the country.

Langley Furniture Works was named Best Rural Creative or Artisan Business at the northern regional finals of the Rural Business Awards, in partnership with Amazon, which took place virtually this year.

The family-run business will now go on to represent Hexham at the national final of the Rural Business Awards in February 2022.

The cabinet making and specialist joinery company ensures the customer is part of the design process and that work is carried out respectfully with a budget set at the beginning.

The Rural Business Awards 2021/2022 are organised by rural business for rural business with the aim of celebrating their achievements and developing a network of rural business owners.

After picking up the prestigious award, Geoff Jackson, owner of Langley Furniture Works, said: “This recognition is such amazing news for our family-run business.

"Thank you to Amazon and the Rural Business Awards for giving businesses like ours a boost with these awards.

"We’re so excited to take our place at the national final.”

Spending his early years working in agriculture and forestry, Geoff turned to cabinet making, inspired by the grain and colour he experienced in traditional timber yards. The business has now been trading for over 40 years.

“I’d like to congratulate all the businesses nominated and wish Langley Furniture Works the best of luck ahead of the national final in February,” said John Boumphrey, UK country manager, Amazon.

Rural Business Awards co-founder Jemma Clifford added: “We are very proud to be hosting the seventh annual Rural Business Awards in partnership with Amazon.

"On behalf of the Rural Business Awards team, I would like to say congratulations to Langley Furniture Works for this well-deserved win and wish them all the best ahead of the national final.”

The awards have 13 categories - ranging from Best Rural Start-up and Best Rural Diversification Project; through to Best Rural Professional Services Business and Best Rural Social Enterprise, Charity or Community Project.

Winners are 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 is hosting a series of regional finals in the North, East, Midlands, South West, Wales and Northern Ireland, throughout October 2021, ahead of the National Final next February.

To find out more, visit www.ruralbusinessawards.co.uk