A cat café in Bristol has been named the best micro business in the West of England.
You&Meow on Denmark Street in the city was presented with the accolade at the Federation of Small Businesses' Celebrating Small Business Awards 2020.
You&Meow’s director Ewa Rukat, who was also shortlisted in the young entrepreneur of the year category, said she was "delighted" the café had been recognised.
She said: “I am very emotional to have won this and very grateful. This feels very special to me especially as it is the same week we have passed our third anniversary in Bristol. This will be a great encouragement for the business going forward.”
Six firms from across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Keynsham were named as finalists at the awards, which took place at Somerset County Cricket Ground last week.
Other local businesses that made the final include refugee integration services organisation ACH (Bristol); Nuts and seeds retailer Boundless (Bristol); community organisation Community of Purpose (Keynsham); Eclectic Gift Shop (Hanham) and karting and driving graphic designers and printers KartDavid (Bristol).
FSB regional chair for the South West Lee Nathan, whose creative agency Studiovine and recently relocated to Bristol, said the "diversity and strength" of the region’s small business community was "perfectly illustrated" at the awards.
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He said: “It was a fantastic day which showed the amazing range of small businesses we have in the South West.
"More people than ever entered our awards this time and we would urge all the small businesses in the South West to follow their example and take part next year to make it and even bigger and better celebration of the small business community.”
