Oakham's Two Chimps Coffee and BeFit Gym have both made it to the final 10 nominees for the Small Business of the Year category in the prestigious Rutland & Stamford Mercury Business Awards 2024.
Two Chimps Coffee, a small team dedicated to bringing specialty coffee to everyone, has also been nominated for the Environmental Champions category. Laura Shead from Two Chimps expressed her team's honour and excitement about being finalists. "We're a tight-knit group of coffee lovers who are passionate about providing ethically sound and delicious brews," she said. The company's carbon-neutral certification and active participation in trade shows reflect their commitment to sustainability.
BeFit Gym, owned by Ben Easson, has seen significant growth since relocating a year ago. The gym, which caters to all fitness levels, offers a variety of gym equipment and over 20 fitness classes per week. Ben said, "Our members range from 16 to 90 years old, and we're proud to offer something for everyone. Our core ethos is to improve people's health, fitness, and strength."
The awards ceremony will take place on Friday, September 27 at Rutland Hall Hotel, sponsored by Hegarty. Both Two Chimps Coffee and BeFit Gym are eager to see the results and celebrate their achievements.