Latest news with #UKSmallBusinessAwards
South Wales Guardian
10-08-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Tycroes florist named Prestige Awards Florist of the Year
Mrs Karen Jones attended the 2025 Prestige Awards on July 17 at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol where she was given the award. Born and bred in Tycroes, Mrs Jones has run Poppies Florist in the village for over two decades. Mrs Jones opened her shop 24 years ago. (Image: Google Street View) Mr Jones said: 'I have won multiple awards in the space of a year. I am quite proud of myself. I've been in business for 24 years and I work so hard. To have all these awards, it's been overwhelming. It has blown me away. 'It's amazing and it's all down to my customers. I love them all. It's down to the reviews people leave. I am glad they like the services that we provide. Social media has also helped with getting these awards. 'These awards have been the icing on the cake. I now know I can retire, look back and say I have been in business and kept my customers happy. I just hope people keep coming. Happy customers, happy poppy.' Poppies Florist was also shortlisted in the UK Small Business Awards. (Image: Poppies Florist) Prior to starting her own business, Mrs Jones worked as a florist in Ammanford for around nine years. She continued: 'I went straight into the deep end. It was sink or swim. Even when I first started, it felt right. Now I have customers from all over Wales and overseas. People phone me from everywhere and I can't thank them enough. 'It's fabulous receiving so many awards after all these years. The last time I won an award was in 2009 when a mystery shopper came to visit me.' Mrs Jones worked as florist in Ammanford before starting her own business. (Image: Poppies Florist) Apart from the Prestige Awards, Mrs Jones was shortlisted as a finalist in the UK Small Business Awards for Best Florist Business, Best Bespoke Floral Studio and was awarded a four-star Interflora Artisan award for excellence of quality and service. Poppies Florist has 34 reviews on Facebook and a recommendation ratio of 98%. A review from Tasha Williams last month (July 2025) said: 'Absolutely amazing work. So much time and effort went into making a plane for a plane obsessed gentleman! We really appreciate every second that went into making this. 'You went above and beyond to make this very special. I know Russ would have had the biggest grin with this. Thank you very much.'
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Stirchley cafe overjoyed after being crowned best in Birmingham
A cafe owner has said she "jumped with joy" after her business was crowned the best in Birmingham. Rachel Lewis runs Bournville Cafe in Stirchley, and won the region's best cafe title at the UK Small Business Awards at the beginning of 41-year-old described the cafe as her "little baby", which she opened eight years ago to fulfil her business dreams, after running a sandwich van in the city. She said the annual award, which celebrates business owners across the UK, was not something she had been expecting and was a "massive achievement" for the cafe and the community. "We went there with no expectations, so it was really exciting to win," she said. The UK Small Business Awards said that thousands of people apply for the awards every year. Ms Lewis is through to the award's grand finals in December, where a trophy is up for grabs along with a national certificate of recognition. Ms Lewis' business has had some famous visitors, with comedian Joe Lycett filming part of his Channel 4 series, Late Night Lycett, in the cafe last year. She described him as an "absolutely lovely guy" who had brought in many customers inspired to visit the cafe since it was featured on his show."He always says he's going to come back and have his omelette, so fingers crossed he will come and see us soon," she said. The cafe owner added that it was "surreal" to have visitors like Lycett in the cafe, which had spurred more production companies to film in the cafe in the future. Ms Lewis described the cafe as a "down to earth" place where everyone could enjoy themselves with outgoing, friendly said that running the cafe was a chance for her to give back to the community and provide a space for families to enjoy themselves together. The cafe has a range of food items on their menu, with customers travelling up to 10 miles (16km) across Birmingham to try the homemade chips, one of the cafe's specialities, Ms Lewis said."It's not a chore to come to work, I actually enjoy coming and hopefully I'll still have the cafe for years to come." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
