Local small business, La Petite Crêperie, has taken first place in this year’s Newcastle Small Business of the Year 2017 competition.
Six Newcastle businesses were nominated by local business support agencies as part of the national initiative, Small Business Saturday 2 December 2017.
Led by Newcastle City Council, in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses, the local community was asked to vote through social media on which small businesses they would like to see take first prize.
La Petite Crêperie, nominated by Transmit Start Ups, is based in Newcastle’s Grainger Market but also uses a tricycle to visit local markets, fayres and events, and produces a range of sweet and savoury crepes.
Owner of La Petite Crêperie, Julien Poulalion, said: ‘We have been producing our magnificent crepes in the heart of Newcastle since 2014. I first came to Newcastle a few years ago to attend university, where I got a business degree. I fell in love with the place and decided to stay.
‘’After a couple of sales jobs, I wanted to create my own business and give something back to this amazing city. My parents, being ‘Bretons’, it had to be crêpes! We are now based in the very iconic Grainger market and also attend various festivals, functions and parties, with permanent spots in both Quayside and Tynemouth markets.
‘’We were absolutely delighted to be nominated for this year’s Newcastle Small Business of the Year and even more thrilled to have won!’’.
Simon Hanson, Development Manager at the Federation of Small Businesses, said, ‘’We are delighted to have partnered with Newcastle City Council for the last three years to support the Small Business Saturday campaign in Newcastle.
‘’Newcastle has a rich and varied range of small, retail businesses and this competition is a great way to highlight their importance to our great city’’.
The five runners up, also nominated by local business support agencies, were Flat Caps Coffee, Greyjoy’s, Sweet Beet, The Brownie Bar and Ugly Duckling.
Cllr Ged Bell, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth at Newcastle City Council, continued, ‘’We are committed to supporting our local small businesses. They are such a crucial part of Newcastle’s vibrant city life and an essential part of our economy and communities.
‘La Petite Crêperie is based in the heart of our city and this small business is a worthy winner’.
The national Small Business Saturday grassroots campaign is run by Small Is Big CIC, a community interest company that is not-for-profit, existing only to serve the interests of small businesses.