Small businesses from Lewisham and Southwark celebrated at the FSB business awards

Twelve small business winners became regional champions at the London final of the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards on Monday.

A single mum’s bakery business in Lewisham and a business fighting poverty from Southwark were celebrated by the FSB at the awards ceremony.

Exporter of the year went to Gbemi Shitta, 49, a single mum and proud founder of SweetDoughThings, from Deptford.

Miss Shitta’s confectionery company started in a tiny kitchen and now stocks its products on retail shelves in the UK and abroad. 

The company started by repackaging other manufacturers’ products, but now makes its own products and is the first company in the UK to manufacture vegan, sugar-free candy floss.

This year’s Community Award went to Restorative Justice For All (RJ4All), a Southwark-based business with a mission to address poverty and advance human rights. 

RJ4ALL aims to redistribute power in a more equal way by delivering social justice and poverty relief projects, educational programmes and volunteering opportunities to marginalised groups.

The group also manages the Rotherhithe Community Centre in Plough Way, Rotherhithe.

The space has become an adaptable social hub, where residents can seek support.

Both winners will now now go forward to the FSB’s UK final with a chance to be crowned the UK Small Business of the Year.

Michael Lassman, FSB London regional chairman, said: “Congratulations to all this year’s London FSB Celebrating Small Business Award winners – stars of the region’s small business community.

“London’s small businesses have been recognised for their fantastic innovation, enterprise and accomplishments. All are at the heart of the region’s economy and communities. 

“The best of luck to all our London winners for the upcoming UK national award final.”

Pictured Top: Gbemi Shitta and other winners at the FSB awards Monday (Picture: Sharron Wallace)