TWO companies have each won a top accolade at the Northern Design Awards 2020.

Bisca, in Helmsley, and Rachel McLane Ltd, in Pickering, have been recognised for their achievements at the regional awards.

Bisca has won the Designer Maker category, making it the third time that the company has won a Northern Design Award. 

The company designs and makes staircases for residential and commercial properties all over the UK as well as internationally.

Design director, Richard McLane, said: “Recognition of great design is always appreciated. 

“I think it is especially valued by the whole Bisca team. 

“It is a privilege to be working with a team of designers and craftspeople who love their work and care passionately about producing stunning staircases for our customers.”

Rachel McLane Ltd won Best Hotel Interior Design of the Year for its work at the Bike & Boot, in Scarborough. 

The designs on the refurbished boutique hotel, which opened last summer, included the design and fit-out of 65 bedrooms and the creation of common areas such as the bar, cafe, residents’ lounge, film club and restaurant.

“We’ve been a finalist four times previously, so to finally win is fabulous,” said Rachel.

“Winning a Northern Design Award not only gives us greater credibility and shows confidence in the work of the Rachel McLane team, but it also affirms that our designs are of the highest calibre and that we know what we’re doing. 

“In what has been a very difficult year, winning the award also shows we have the business systems and people in place to enable us to accomplish a challenging project.”

The ‘creating memories’ theme appealed to a panel of judges which featured designers George Bond, Linda Barker, Wayne Hemingway and Nick Munro.

Rachel added: “My attitude is not to be overly precious; interior design is not about me forcing my ideas onto a client and their customers. Good design does not have to cost the earth.”