By Dave Gudgeon

Last updated 05:48, Friday, 19 September 2008

TWO sisters who set up a women-only gym in Carlisle last year are in line for a business award.

Category finalists: Julia and Jo Clifford, co-owners of Curves

Curves, run by Julia and Jo Clifford in Corporation Road, is one of four finalists in the adversity category of the Startups awards.

Curves is a fitness facility specially designed for women, featuring a complete 30-minute workout that’s fun, fast, safe and affordable – a concept that impressed judges.

The business is now up for a prize of £5,000 when the winners are revealed at a ceremony at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London, on Thursday October 30.

The Startups Awards 2008, organised by Crimson Business’ Startups.co.uk, in conjunction with Barclays, comprise 17 categories – each showcasing the best new businesses in the UK.

Julia Clifford said: “We are thrilled to be a finalist and very much look forward to the event next month.

“It’s great that all our dedication and hard work has been recognised by Startups.co.uk, and we’re delighted to be in with a chance of not only winning the category but also the much-coveted Barclays Startups Business of the Year prize.”

To be eligible to enter, businesses must be less than three years old, be privately owned, and employ fewer than 60 people.

The judges look at business success either by increase in sales and unit volume, market research and customer care.

They also focus on strategic planning, overcoming obstacles, leadership and social responsibility.

Curves is presently engaged in a battle to prevent car parking charges on spaces close to the premises. The Clifford sisters have collected hundreds of signatures on a protest petition.