FAMILY firm Westmorland Limited has posted strong results for the last year and is set for change in 2017.

The company - which owns The Rheged Centre, near Penrith and Tebay Services, off the M6 as well as Gloucester Services and Cairn Lodge, near Lanark - saw a growth in turnover to £92.9m in the year to June 2016, up from £71.8m the year before.

It saw its pre-tax profit grow to £6.1m, up from £3.6m.

The year saw the first full year of trading at Gloucester Services and Cairn Lodge’s first full year of trading under Westmorland’s ownership.

Chief executive Sarah Dunning said: “We have developed and strengthened our offer in our farmshops and kitchens, resulting in strong trading. Work with local and independent producers has remained a priority; Gloucester and Tebay Services each have an established network of around 130 local producers, within 30 miles of the services.

"Over half of what we spend with retail and catering suppliers is locally or regionally sourced and that commitment to local allows emerging local businesses to flourish.”

Westmorland is the only motorway service area operator in the country to have been awarded 5* for all its sites by Visit England. Tebay Services has seen investment investment in its car parks and refurbishment to rooms in its hotel.

Rheged won Gallery of the Year in Cumbria Life’s Culture Awards in 2016, following a strong series of exhibitions and events .

A new chief executive will join the firm in April, Rob Swyer, who started his career with Mars and has worked with Asda, Pets at Home and most recently as retail director with Halfords. Ms Dunning will become chairman.

Bryan Gray will remain non-executive director and Laurence King will become vice-chairman.

The company also has plans to develop a new HQ in Cumbria, complete with kitchens to allow suppliers and in house teams to further develop what the firm has to offer its customers.

Ms Dunning added: "The business remains positive and will continue to develop its offer, its internal teams and its relationships with both producers and local communities in the next year."