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Cafe owner joy after business crowned best in city

Alice Cullinane
BBC News, West Midlands
Reporting fromStirchley
BBC A woman has blonde hair tied in a bun and is wearing a navy blue shirt with a navy blue apron. She is sitting on a chair next to a wall with wooden panelling. There are tables with condiments on them behind. BBC
Rachel Lewis said it had always been her dream to open a cafe

A cafe owner has said she "jumped with joy" after her business was crowned the best in Birmingham.

Rachel Lewis runs Bournville Cafe in Stirchley, and won the region's best cafe title at the UK Small Business Awards at the beginning of May.

The 41-year-old described the cafe as her "little baby", which she opened eight years ago to fulfil her business dreams, after running a sandwich van in the city.

She said the annual award, which celebrates business owners across the UK, was not something she had been expecting and was a "massive achievement" for the cafe and the community.

"We went there with no expectations, so it was really exciting to win," she said.

The UK Small Business Awards said that thousands of people apply for the awards every year. Ms Lewis is through to the award's grand finals in December, where a trophy is up for grabs along with a national certificate of recognition.

Bournville Cafe A man and woman are standing behind a cafe counter together. The woman has bobbed blonde hair and is wearing a cream tracksuit.The man has short blonde hair and is wearing a jacket filled with rubber ducks and stuffed teddies. He is also holding a white mug. They have their arms around each other and are stood smiling at the camera.Bournville Cafe
Joe Lycett filmed part of his Channel 4 series at the cafe last year

Ms Lewis' business has had some famous visitors, with comedian Joe Lycett filming part of his Channel 4 series, Late Night Lycett, in the cafe last year.

She described him as an "absolutely lovely guy" who had brought in many customers inspired to visit the cafe since it was featured on his show.

"He always says he's going to come back and have his omelette, so fingers crossed he will come and see us soon," she said.

The cafe owner added that it was "surreal" to have visitors like Lycett in the cafe, which had spurred more production companies to film in the cafe in the future.

Bournville Cafe Three women are smiling in front of a wooden panelled wall, holding a certificate that says 'UK Small Business Awards winner'. The woman on the left has blonde hair tied back and is wearing a fluffly grey coat. The woman in the middle has tied back brown hair, is wearing a black shirt and apron and is holding a framed certificate. They woman on the right has long light brown hair and is wearing a navy blue top. She is holding two fingers up in a V sign for peace. THey are all smiling at the camera. Bournville Cafe
Ms Lewis (left) said she did not expect to win the award this year

Ms Lewis described the cafe as a "down to earth" place where everyone could enjoy themselves with outgoing, friendly staff.

She said that running the cafe was a chance for her to give back to the community and provide a space for families to enjoy themselves together.

The cafe has a range of food items on their menu, with customers travelling up to 10 miles (16km) across Birmingham to try the homemade chips, one of the cafe's specialities, Ms Lewis said.

"It's not a chore to come to work, I actually enjoy coming and hopefully I'll still have the cafe for years to come."

The outside of a cafe with a red canopy that says 'Bournville Cafe' and signs above it on the brick wall that read 'Bournville Cafe' and 'Cafe, Breakfasts, Dinners, Teas'.
Ms Lewis said that customers travel from all over Birmingham to eat the cafe's homemade chips

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