Doug and Sally Bennett, owners of Cushion Cottage in Reepham, collected their award last Friday after becoming winners as part of the Small Business Sunday (SBS) scheme.

The pair sells handmade homewares and gifts and supports 20 local artists, creators and designers.

Cushion Cottage in Reepham sells handmade homewares (Image: Cushion Cottage)

The scheme is run by entrepreneur Theo Paphitis, who is best known for his stint as an investor on the BBC's Dragons' Den.

Cushion Cottage is now profiled on the SBS website after being named as one of six winners last year.

"We were thrilled to receive our message from Theo Paphitis informing us we had won our award, which has given our business a huge boost," the couple said.

"We are passionate about our shop and what we create ourselves, as well as supporting other small businesses by offering them retail space in a permanent outlet."

Their winning entry earned them a shoutout from Paphitis to his combined audience of 800,000 followers across X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

"It is great to have support from Theo and his crew and meeting him in person last Friday was truly inspiring, giving us the opportunity to show him our products and chat about our small business," Mrs Bennett added.

Owners of Cushion Cottage Doug and Sally Bennett (Image: Cushion Cottage)

SBS is a weekly initiative, set up in 2010, which now has more than 4,000 winners and supports small businesses across the UK.

Mr Paphitis added: "We are thrilled to welcome new SBS members every week and highlight just how important it is to support our small businesses here in the UK.

"The website will also give a valuable profile to the winners chosen and I wish Cushion Cottage every success."

© Eastern Daily Press