Whitby cafe and restaurant Hetty & Betty in running for top business award

The family-owned cafe and restaurant on Baxtergate 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: “Afer 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 11 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.

Michelle Ovens, Founder of Small Business Britain, said: “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 May 13.

This year, in light of current restricEons, Small Business Britain will again be hosting its award ceremony as a lively virtual event, instead of the traditional gala dinner.

Hetty & Betty started life as Mills Cafe in 1928 and has been serving Whitby fish and chips ever since.