Restaurant with a social conscience claims National Small Business Big Heart Award

Now in its second year the Small Business Big Heart Awards, in association with BusinessesForSale.com, undertakes a countrywide search for the small business with the biggest heart. 

And with 72% of small businesses in the UK helping their communities, local charities and not-for-profit groups, it’s no easy task. 

In 2018 one business stood out overall, while four others were given Highly Commended Awards for their valuable work.

Small Business Big Heart 2018 Winner – Kilted Lobster Restaurant, Edinburgh

The Kilted Lobster restaurant in Edinburgh reinvest all its profits into its local community.  It is driven by its very own social conscience, which it calls ‘Cooking Up A Storm’. 

This is a business that serves its community with much more than food and was without doubt the most compelling submission the judges read this year.

Head Chef and business owner Colin Hinds said: “We truly believe in influencing and supporting our community, our city and our country through simple and practical projects. Much like following a recipe we believe in a step-by-step approach to do what we can to make a difference in people's lives.”

Small Business Big Heart Awards judge and Marketing Director at BusinessesForSale.com, Rufus Bazley added: “The impact Kilted Lobster makes to the wellbeing of locals on a sustained basis is amazing because as well as helping those communities directly it helps them to help themselves for the long term.”

Every Tuesday the gourmet restaurant closes its doors to the general public to provide its fantastic food to families facing financial hardship. 

The restaurant also provides workplace training to those who face barriers to education.  Colin also regularly runs cookery courses to cater for special diets and low-income households. The complete list of all the business does is extensive, and as a result its impact incredible.

Michelle Reily, Founder of fitness charity Street Fit Scotland says, “Colin is an extremely kind and generous man he fed about 15 of the Street Fit Scotland participants at his restaurant in Stockbridge.  Most of them had never had a restaurant experience before and it brought a lump to my throat. They still talk about it now.”

Kilted Lobster has received £1,000 to put towards a cause of its choosing. 

Small Business Big Heart Awards 2018 – Highly Commended Small Businesses

Four other small businesses received recognitions for their amazing work.

FSB member and member representative Pearl’s Pet Care, Forres was awarded the On-going Giving Highly Commended Award for its 36-year long work in animal welfare, environmental safeguarding, community care and regional business development.

The Picturedrome Electric Theatre, Bognor Regis was given a Highly Commended in the Community Spirit category for its incredible support for local community events, organisations and sports clubs.

Sardaya Hair and Beauty, Swindon also received a Highly Commended in the Community Spirit category or its local fundraising activities and practical support for the elderly, homeless, children and babies in the community.

Bluefin Living, Birmingham achieved Highly Commended in the Business Heart Award for its business ethos which is built on tackling the UK’s housing crisis.

Rufus concluded: “For the second year running the Small Business Big Heart Awards have demonstrated the incredible impact the UK’s small business community has on individuals and organisations that might otherwise be overlooked.”

The opening date for the 2019 Small Business Big Heart Awards will be announced in September. 

For more information visit https://uk.businessesforsale.com/uk/search/businesses-for-sale/articles/small-business-big-heart