THE CO-OWNER of a shop in Wellington is celebrating (September, 2018) after being shortlisted in the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
Cato Cooper, who co-owns The Emporium Somerset is one of the finalists in the Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year category for Wales and the South West.
She said: “I am over the moon to have been shortlisted in the Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year category. We opened in 2015, so to be recognised for such a prestigious award after such a short time is an honour, but I wouldn’t have been able to do any of it without the help of my family, friends and all of the businesses that sell their items under our roof.
“I am among some fantastic company in the category and wish everyone the best of luck.”
Awards evenings will be held across the country in Birmingham, London, Edinburgh and Manchester and the awards ceremony for Wales and the South West will take place in Cardiff on November 22.
Francesca James, Creator of the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said: “We have been inundated with some incredible entries this year, and all shortlisted applicants should be extremely proud of themselves! This year has yet again seen a record number of entrants and we’ve been absolutely blown away by the strength and diversity of applications.
“We cannot wait to celebrate entrepreneurship across Great Britain and put a spotlight on the incredible talent within the British entrepreneur ecosystem.”
Now in its sixth year, the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards acknowledges the hard work and inspiring stories of British entrepreneurs and businesses in Great Britain. The awards have celebrated some outstanding entrepreneurs who have gone on to become household names.
Gordon Merrylees, Head of Entrepreneurship for NatWest, said: “Entrepreneurial spirit is still clearly alive and well and NatWest is thrilled to be able to continue to support these awards to celebrate success with the businesses that are the lifeblood of the UK Economy as they start, scale and succeed.”
The Emporium Somerset is home to more than 50 shopkeepers selling thousands of homeware, garden and gift items.
Housed in a Victorian chapel, it stocks cards, home accessories, furniture, home and garden wares, jewellery, antiques, stationery, knick-knacks and a small selection of children’s toys.
Cato added: “Our store is fresh, vibrant, light and airy with lots of inspirational, contemporary items, as well as traditional and vintage ones.
“Most of our shopkeepers’ products are either handmade here in the Westcountry, sourced from other British craftspeople and makers, or from ethical and Fairtrade companies. So, there are plenty of unusual items here for people to have a look at and they are reasonably priced too. By buying from us, shoppers are supporting the very backbone of the nation’s economy – small, independent, local businesses.”
As well as running the store, Cato also specialises in restoring furniture and runs a paint and home accessories studio and workshop in-store.
For further details, please call The Emporium Somerset on 01823 660076, email info@theemporiumsomerset.co.uk or visit www.theemporiumsomerset.co.uk.
