From curry clubs to children’s books, vintage gifts to skilled copywriters, these winners represent the very best of Britain’s small businesses, a sector which has been at the heart of supporting the country through the pandemic.

Whitley Bay’s much loved Jam Jar Cinema was awarded the prestigious title of ‘Small Business of the Year’, reflecting its role at the heart of regenerating this North East seaside community.

Organised by Small Business Britain, the Small Awards celebrate the dynamism of the UK’s small business sector, from longstanding family businesses and innovation-led start-ups, to social enterprise champions.

The 2020 winners triumphed across eleven categories:

• Cheshire’s first curry cookery school - My Curry Club - won the ‘Sole to Sole’ award, celebrating the tenacity it takes to go it alone as a sole trader. Habiba Chowdhury left her 16-year international sales career overnight to start her business and has recently adapted to also offer virtual spice cookery classes nationwide.
• Bedfordshire mobile pamper and slumber party service Glamavan won the ‘At your Service’ award. Former police-officer-turned-entrepreneur Toni Cassidy takes the stress out of children’s parties, as well as running eco-friendly glitter bars at events. She has successfully pivoted to virtual parties, receiving bookings from all over the UK.
• New Scottish sustainable cycling tour business A Wee Pedal was awarded the ‘New Kid on the Block’ award for its amazing progress in attracting customers from around the world and locally since it launched last April.
• Inclusive children’s book subscription service Little Box of Books won the ‘Mission Possible’ award in recognition of the purpose-driven values that underpin its business sharing children’s fiction representing diverse families.
• Vintage inspired gift and coffee shop Florence & Amelia’s in Greater Manchester won the ‘High Street Hero’ award, sponsored by TSB,  for its strong contribution to its local high street in Stalybridge. Named after owner Nicola’s grandmothers it offers traditional customer service with enormous heart and has recently reopened.
• Family run clothing store Dancers Ltd was awarded the ‘Legacy’ Small Award, for its longstanding role at the heart of Halesowen’s community for 140 years, supplying school uniforms to generations of children across the West Midlands.
• Modocreative won the ‘Bricks and Clicks’ award for its innovative multi-channel creative business, which combines a physical and online shop and a ‘maker mill’ for its hand-made designs in West Yorkshire.
• Growing Bristol-based copywriting agency Rin-Hamburgh won the ‘Digital Star’ Small Award, for its excellence in digital marketing and helping businesses find the right words to achieve significant business results.
• Creative digital agency Aubergine won the ‘Supply Chain Champion’ award for its experience of working with firms of all sizes, including many start-ups. It deliberately based itself in the heart of Leighton Buzzard to be accessible to the community.
• Jam Jar Cinema also won the ‘Heart of Gold’ award for its contribution to the community. Founded in 2013 in a former derelict building it has inspired local regeneration and will be reopening soon, along with a new streaming platform.

Michelle Ovens MBE, Founder of The Small Awards and Small Business Britain said: “It is especially important to call out the amazing success of small businesses in these challenging times. The Small awards are all about shining a spotlight on the amazing contribution of the UK’s small firms, not just over the last three months, but all the time. Across Britain there are small business heroes bringing incredible joy to their customers, supporting their fellow small businesses and communities, and thinking innovatively - whether they have just started up, or have been around for generations. All small firms obviously deserve a medal for going through this crisis, but we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate these special winners.”

Dan Ellis, Founder of Jam Jar Cinema said: “We’re overjoyed to be this year’s Small Business of the Year! Jam Jar Cinema was started nine years ago on the back of a napkin, and we’re now a fully accessible cinema with a range of films, at the heart of the town. Things are undoubtedly really tough for all small businesses right now, but we are positive and determined to come back stronger. Small businesses are the soul of communities and the secret to helping them thrive.”

Launched in 2017, the Small Awards celebrate the very best of Britain’s small businesses and their contribution to local communities, which are often overlooked at national awards.

Judged by a panel of leading enterprise experts, the winners were announced at a lively virtual event, as Small Business Britain reformatted its traditional gala dinner due to the pandemic.