The benchmark of excellence
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The The Cafe Awards celebrate the people, businesses and organisations doing exceptional work. Explore the categories and help recognise someone shaping the future through their achievement, leadership and impact.
The Cafe Awards
Independent Cafe of the Year Award
The independent cafe everyone wishes was on their street.
About this category
This award recognises an independently owned cafe whose food, drink, welcome and atmosphere over the last twelve months stand out. Judges look for quality, customer experience, the team and how the cafe runs as a business.
Eligibility
Open to independently owned cafes in the UK with no more than three sites.
Judging criteria
- Food and drink quality
- Customer experience
- Atmosphere
- Team
- Business performance
Qualitative criteria
- A place people choose
- Not just pass
Metrics
- Customer reviews
- Repeat custom
- Covers
- Average spend and growth
Additional criteria
Entries should include a short description of the cafe or business, photographs of the space, food or drink where helpful, supporting figures such as covers, average spend, growth or reviews, and, where possible, comments from customers. Figures can be given as ranges and nothing in an entry is shared beyond the judging panel. Judges consider the size and setting of every business, so a single counter kiosk competes on equal terms with a busy high street cafe or a small group.
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