FOUR enterprising businesses in Ryedale have been shortlisted in the prestigious national Rural Business Awards (RBA).

Beadlam Grange Farmshop in Beadlam, Beech Farm Cottages

near Pickering, Ampleforth Abbey Drinks in Ampleforth and Breckenholme Trading Company, near Thixendale, are among 16 in the wider North Yorkshire area which are in the running for a prize in the awards.

Now in their fourth year, the RBAs are the only UK-wide business awards specifically for the rural sector. RBA co-founder Anna Price said: “Congratulations to all the shortlisted business from North Yorkshire which have made it this far in our awards.

“We are so proud to be holding the RBAs for the fourth year as they continue to go from strength to strength.”

Beadlam Grange Farmshop is shortlisted in the Outstanding Rural Diversification Project category. Created as a farm diversification business to help ensure the survival of a multi-generational 200-acre family farm, the business has grown to employ more than 24 local members of staff.

It now includes an onsite gift shop, hairdressers and florist. The farm has 100 Limousin cows, provides a "bed and breakfast" service for pigs, and sells 100 per cent of its own beef through its butchery counter.

Beech Farm Cottages Ltd, shortlisted for Best Rural Tourism Business, is a recently revamped complex of eight luxury holiday cottages located on the edge of the North York Moors near Pickering.

With an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, spa, children’s play area and mini petting farm, the business brings about 2,000 guests to the area annually.

Breckenholme Trading Company, shortlisted for Best Rural Manufacturing Business, is producer of the Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil and Charlie & Ivy’s brands, with the business named after Breckenholme, the family farm south of Malton where it all started.

Established in 2008, Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil produces a range of oils, dressings and mayonnaise made from seed that is grown, cold pressed, bottled and labelled on the family farm.

The RBAs regional finals are being held in the autumn, with the winners going on to a grand final on February 28, 2019.

The aim of the awards is to highlight the success of businesses across the UK’s rural economy – a segment which employs in excess of 3.4million people in more than 750,000 businesses in England alone.