Whitby cafe shortlisted for UK's best high street small business
Hetty & Betty based in Whitby has been shortlisted for the UK’s best high street small business at this year’s Small Awards.
Hetty & Betty based in Whitby has been shortlisted for the UK’s best high street small business at this year’s Small Awards.
In its fifth year, The Small Awards is a nationwide search for the smallest and greatest firms in the UK, across all sectors. It is organised annually by Small Business Britain, which champions, inspires and accelerates small businesses in the UK.
Hetty & Betty, a family owned cafe and restaurant, started life as Mills Cafe in 1928 and has been serving Whitby Fish and Chips ever since. The cafe & restaurant also specialises in creative Afternoon Teas - including the Whitby Fish and Chips Afternoon Tea. It has been chosen as one of five finalists for the ‘High Street Hero’ award, sponsored by TSB, that recognises a small business that has a proven record of contributing towards the success of their local high street.
Owner Lois Mee said:
“After such a tumultuous year, to have been chosen as a finalist for such an amazing award is a huge honour. We are very proud of our work to promote our business, our street and the other businesses on it. From collaborating with other businesses for our Afternoon Tea deliveries, to creating the Baxtergate Bees promotion for Whitby in Bloom, we have worked with many of the amazing businesses on our lovely street.”
With eleven unique categories, the Small Awards celebrate the dynamism of the UK’s small business sector, across everything from longstanding family businesses and innovation-led start-ups, to social enterprise champions.
“After what has been a difficult year for the whole small business community, it has been inspirational to hear about phenomenal small businesses across the UK, and the determination and resilience they have shown throughout the pandemic,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain.
“The Small Awards exist to celebrate and champion the amazing contribution of fantastic small firms like Hetty & Betty. We received a record number of applications this year, with an incredibly high standard of entry, so all of the small businesses shortlisted should be rightly proud of this achievement.”
Judged by a panel of leading enterprise experts, the winners of all award categories, along with the overall winner of Small Business of the Year, will be announced on 13 May 2021.
“In what’s been the most challenging year for small businesses, we’re proud to see the hard work and creativity of so many business owners recognised through The Small Awards,” TSB’s Business Banking Director, Mark Curran said.
“Congratulations to Hetty & Betty on being shortlisted amongst a high calibre of entrants – this is a great opportunity to take stock and celebrate your resilience in a tough year as well as your success and achievements.”
This year, in light of current restrictions, Small Business Britain will again be hosting its award ceremony as a lively virtual event, instead of the traditional glittering gala dinner. Small businesses across the country will zoom in together for an evening of fun celebrations, featuring entertainment, special guests, speeches, networking and more.