With just a fortnight to go until this year’s Rutland & Stamford Mercury Business Awards, we are meeting more finalists.
The awards, in association with Hegarty, are being held on Friday, September 18, at Rutland Hall Hotel, when the finalists in 10 categories will discover who has won.
Today we’re meeting the finalists in our Small Business of the Year category, sponsored by South Kesteven District Council. They are Ed’s Hill Top Tent in Tinwell, Rutland Hideaways in Little Bytham, Stamford Gymnastics Club, Thetford Farm Estate in Baston and Two Chimps Coffee.
Ed’s Hill Top Tent is a countryside weddings and events business based just outside Stamford.
Ed Hinch, who runs the business, said the business had grown through continual reinvestment, expanding through offering public events as well as weddings and supporting other local businesses.
“We’re absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for Small Business of the Year. As a small, family-run business, it’s a real honour to be recognised alongside so many other fantastic local businesses. We’ve worked hard to build something we’re proud of, and being named a finalist is a great reward for all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes,” said Ed.
Rutland Hideaways is a family-run luxury glamping business based in Little Bytham. From a single lodge, there are now four unique accommodation options offering guests a ‘peaceful countryside escape with luxury touches including private hot tubs, outdoor cinema areas and woodland spa experiences’.
“Since launching, we’ve welcomed hundreds of guests from across the UK and are incredibly proud to have built a business with exceptional guest reviews and a high number of returning visitors. Alongside creating memorable stays, we’re passionate about supporting the local economy by working with local suppliers, tradespeople and businesses wherever possible, while continuing to invest in sustainability through initiatives such as our solar installation and renewable energy systems,” said Rachel Jerams, from Rutland Hideaways.
“It’s a real honour to be recognised alongside so many fantastic local businesses, and we’re very much looking forward to the awards evening.”
Stamford Gymnastics Club, based in Essendine, teaches gymnastics to those aged four years and up, including parent and toddler sessions, from recreational to competitive levels in Stamford and the surrounding areas.
It is run by Mat Cooper who said he was thrilled to be shortlisted in the category.
“We are super proud to be shortlisted as a finalist for Small Business of the Year, we are a small group of coaches some of which give up their evenings after their full time jobs or going to college to come in and provide great sessions to our gymnasts,” said Mat.
“We are beyond grateful for our staff, gymnasts and parents for all their support. Winning would mean the world to us and would be the cherry on the cake but to just be named as a finalist is a huge achievement and a great accolade to have!”
Thetford Farm Estate in Baston is a family-owned and operated business, combining a working farm, a traditional country pub, and a premium hospitality and events venue in a beautiful rural setting.
Hospitality operations manager Germaine Stribling said: “To be shortlisted in this category is a tremendous honour and reflects the dedication and passion of our entire team.
“We are committed to delivering exceptional customer service, creating high-quality events, and ensuring every client receives a personalised experience with meticulous attention to detail. From intimate celebrations to large-scale occasions, we strive to exceed expectations and create memorable experiences for every guest.”
Two Chimps Coffee is celebrating its 10th birthday this year having opened the roastery doors back in 2016. Founded by two Rutlanders, Andy Cross and Laura Shead, Two Chimps Coffee hand-roast specialty coffees in small batches in the roastery on Pillings Road in Oakham, sourcing coffees from all around the world including Brazil, Colombia, Uganda, Ethiopia and Mexico to name just a few.
It is also nominated in the Environmental Champion category.
“Any time you’re nominated for an award is special, so to be nominated in two categories means an awful lot to us,” said Laura. “The team all work so hard to deliver the best possible service for our customers as well as delicious specialty coffee and as team of seven being named a finalist in Small Business of the Year is great for everyone as it really is a team award.”
The awards are the longest established awards of their kind in the area, recognising the very best businesses across Stamford, Rutland, Bourne and the Deepings.
Next week we’ll meet the finalists in the Best Established Business category – the final category before the awards ceremony is held.
Our other finalists are:
Best New Start-Up
* Catmose Vets in Oakham, a veterinary practice
* Fieldfare Communications in Stamford, an internal communications specialist
* Rutland Florals Ltd in Ashwell, a florist
* Trusted Law in Stamford, a legal services firm
* Wildwood Pets in Stamford, a pet shop
Environmental Champion – Sponsored by Buckles Law
* Burmor Construction in Market Deeping, a construction company
* Two Chimps Coffee in Oakham, a coffee roastery
* Woodland Walkies in Oakham, a dog park
Employee of the Year
* Erin Bailey, of Stamford Gymnastics Club, a British Gymnastics registered gymnastics club
*Kayla Brown, of Bourne Ear Care, a professional mobile microsuction ear wax removal service
* Sylwia Lysakowska-Lombari, of Quibble in Uppingham, an SEO and digital marketing agency
Team of the Year – Sponsored by PVS Media
* Dynamics Cleaners in Little Bytham, a contract cleaning company
* Green Oakham Dental Care, a dental practice
* MorePeople in Stamford, a specialist recruitment business
* Rutland Medical Solutions Ltd, offering independent medical provision, healthcare education and training events
Best Independent Retailer – Sponsored by NFU Mutual
* Bythams Community Shop Ltd in Castle Bytham, a village store
* Freckleface Home Fragrance, making poured products with 5 shops including one in Stamford and a warehouse in Spalding
* Rutland Florals in Ashwell
* The March Hare Catering in Bourne, a catering firm with a base at Grimsthorpe Castle
* Wildwood Pets in Stamford
Best Social Enterprise – Sponsored by Ann Clare Physiotherapy
* Evergreen Care Trust in Stamford, a charity supporting older members of the community
* MindSpace Stamford, a health and wellbeing charity
* Second Helpings in Stamford, a project to reduce the amount of food going to waste
Business Leader of the Year
* Andrew Fitzmaurice, CEO of MorePeople
* Rachel Nicholls, principal and CEO of Inspire Education Group, which runs Stamford College and Peterborough College
* Thomas Giddings, a director of Rutland Medical Solutions Ltd
Customer Care – Sponsored by Alltech
* Bourne Ear Care
* Green Oakham Dental Care
* My Therapist Online in Helpston
Best Established Business of the Year
* Burmor Construction
* Dynamics Cleaners Ltd
* Stonetech UK Ltd in Stamford, a stone cleaning, repair and polishing specialist
This year’s event – the 21st iteration – will look different to previous years and include more opportunities for making business connections.
It will also include racing simulators provided by Apex Racing UK Ltd, as well as casino tables and a live auction, hosted by Golding Young, with the proceeds going to the winner of the Best Social Enterprise. The food will be light bites and street food rather than a sit down meal, providing more opportunities for our guests to mingle and connect.
Each of the finalists will be invited to purchase tickets to the ceremony on September 18.
With grateful thanks to our headline sponsor Hegarty, category sponsors South Kesteven District Council, NFU Mutual, Buckles Law, Alltech, PVS Media and Ann Clare Physiotherapy, event programme sponsor Inspire Education Group, entertainment sponsor FunCasino21 and Apex Racing UK and winners’ champagne sponsor and host Rutland Hall Hotel.
More details about the ceremony can be found at www.mercurybusinessawards.co.uk