A COMMUNITY cafe that provides volunteering and integration opportunities for asylum seekers and refugees has been chosen as a finalist for Britain’s best social enterprise business

OLCOTWISH C.I.C., which runs Café Laziz, has been shortlisted for the Mission Possible Award at this year’s Small Awards.

The Small Awards is a nationwide search which champions, inspires and accelerates small businesses in the UK.

Café Laziz was founded by Debra Hill in 2019 and was chosen as one of five finalists for the award that recognises a small business that is driven by its mission over and above financial performance, that benefits a group, a community or society more widely.

Debra Hill, Founder and Director said “We are incredibly proud to be shortlisted in the final five and we know we are up against some really tough competition. To be recognised as one of those final five shortlisted companies is truly amazing. We are looking forward to the virtual award ceremony and wish all of the other finalists the best of luck.”

Judged by a panel of leading enterprise experts, the winners of all categories, along with the overall winner of Small Business of the Year, will be announced on May 13.

Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain, added: "The Small Awards exist to celebrate and champion the amazing contribution of fantastic small firms like OLCOTWISH C.I.C and Café Laziz. We received a record number of applications this year, with an incredibly high standard of entry, so all of the small businesses shortlisted should be rightly proud of this achievement.”