Brixton small businesses are the biz

Crowds at entrance to Brixton villageIt’s been quite a week for small businesses in Brixton. Firstly the winners of the Time Out Love London Awards were announced and Brixton showed its love for the classics with Franco Manca and the Ritzy topping their categories.

Brixton Village and Market Row showed they are no trendy flash in the pan winning the Shopping category, but an intrinisic part of the local community with both long established and newer businesses that are constantly evolving with the area. Look out for our gift guide in the November 27th edition of the Brixton Bugle to see what they are offering in the run up to Christmas!

Also bringing good news to small businesses are nominations for the Dot London Small Business Awards. Celebrating the .london suffix on web addresses, the awards feature four local traders.

Sarah Willingham with fellow judges in the Dot London business awards
Sarah Willingham with fellow dot London judges

In the running for Best Place to Eat is Khamsa on Acre Lane. The first Algerian restaurant in London it opened in 2009 and has become a neighbourhood institution in that time. Everything from the meze to the pastries are made on site by the husband and wife team who run it with love and a wide welcome to everyone.

Also up for Best Place to Eat is Kricket in Pop Brixton. A newbie to the scene barely six months old, it serves Indian small plates and sub continent inspired cocktails and usually has a queue out of the door every night of the week.

Brixton stalwart Ms Cupcake and her vegan cupcakes are nominated for Best Independent Groceries Retailer. Providing cupcakes seven days a week since 2011 to vegans and those who don’t eat dairy or eggs, Ms Cupcake is bucking the trends and giving people what they want.

An honourable mention for a very different business in the same category goes to Cannon & Cannon and their British charcuterie available through Salon in Market Row.

Showing that Brixton is all about good food is the fourth business in the competition Aduna who are in the Best Health, Beauty and Cosmetics category with their baobab nut and moringa based energy bars and powders. Based in the area, but stocked in over 1000 stores throughout the UK, the company seeks to support small farmers in Africa who supply them.

You can vote here until 5pm on 8th January 2016 for your winners (and we’ll also be rooting for South London Blog who are almost as Brixton obsessed as us!)

And if that’s not enough small business news for you, don’t forget that Small Business Saturday is on December 5th when it’s a great excuse to make a day of using local businesses of all kinds.