Home Grown Hero shortlist

Carrie's Indian Bites

Carrie's Indian Bites is a family-run business that has "grown from just a small idea" to being booked into big venues. Carrie and Leigh are praised for their hard work, with nominators saying Carrie has built up her business and reputation "from the very bottom", to the point where "everyone in the area knows who she is". One nomination comes from her own child, who describes her as "a fantastic cook" who never takes a break from building the business.Customers love the food, describing it as authentic, fresh and tasty, and "grown with love and commitment". They praise the friendly service and excellent value, calling Carrie and Leigh "the friendliest most lovely couple you could meet", and some even travel to Scunthorpe for it after following the business on Facebook. Carrie's is also known for giving back: it appears at local events, supports the community, donates "whenever and wherever they can", and inspires others to start businesses of their own.

 

Danni's Daycare

Danni's Daycare is described as "a home from home", where Danni and Natalie put children first and give them "the best start in life". Parents say Danni treats the children she cares for like her own, and one family, whose three children she has looked after at different ages, says she "becomes family". They describe a warm and nurturing environment "where every child thrives and feels loved", with special activities that make sure no child feels left out.Parents speak warmly about the difference the setting has made. One says her daughter "came on leaps and bounds" with Danni's support, and others say their children always come home happy, with regular updates shared through the parents' group chat. Danni is also described as "an amazing role model" in the wider community, respected by children across the area, who makes sure local children have what they need and still donates to charity.

 

Jo Couch Illustration

After being made redundant, Jo followed her dreams and turned her hobby into a successful illustration and greetings card business. Since winning recognition through Theo Paphitis's Small Business Sunday, nominators say her business "has really taken off". She won a trade stand at Spring Fair 2026, where she secured a distribution contract with a major independent greetings card distributor in the USA, along with new UK stockists including Longleat Safari Park. She now also supplies a distributor in Canada, and in October she was a finalist in the EVAS 2026 awards, which support women in business.Customers praise the quality and attention to detail of her products, saying her illustrations "have so much character" and that it's lovely to buy something distinctive while supporting a local business. Jo is described as "a great inspiration to others of what can be achieved with imagination and courage to start a new business and turn a dream into reality".

 

Sunny's Delights

Sunny's Delights is a home-based baking business, run from a kitchen right here in Scunthorpe, making custom cakes for birthdays, parties and family milestones. Customers describe the cakes as delicious, beautifully designed and made with love, cakes "that taste as good as they look", and several say they are very affordable too. One nominator says she has built "an outstanding reputation purely through word-of-mouth".What makes her story stand out for many nominators is that she runs the business alongside her job as a nurse, "balancing nursing with brilliant baking". A colleague says she often brings her bakes onto the ward to keep staff spirits up. She is also praised for her generosity, regularly donating free cakes to hospital fundraising events and local charity causes, and a staff member at Lindsey Lodge Hospice describes how her donations support the hospice's charity events and fundraising.

 

The Party Pantry

The Party Pantry is a small, family-run wedding and events catering business that has gone "from strength to strength" since being nominated last year. Nominators say that in just over a year it has grown from a small local start-up to "making a name for themselves across the UK", expanding what it offers and investing in new ideas along the way. Many describe it as "something completely different", with nothing quite like it in Scunthorpe, and one calls it "a brilliant success story for a small family business".Its dessert carts, stunning set-ups and attention to detail are a big part of its appeal, and one wedding guest says "everyone was talking about them". Customers describe the food and presentation as "out of this world" and say nothing is ever too much trouble, with friendly faces and little personal touches making every event special. One nominator also highlights how much the business gives back, supporting charities and even offering its services free of charge to couples going through difficult times.

 

Waffle-On-HorseBox

Waffle-On-HorseBox is a family-run business owned by a young couple, praised for its "amazing waffles" and lovely customer service. Customers describe the food as fantastic and the service as friendly, with "great food great vibes", and for one family it is a daughter's favourite treat.Nominators say the owners put their heart into everything they do. One parent recalls how, when their child dropped his waffle, a member of staff came over with a free replacement, which they saw as putting customers before profit. A friend of the owner says he has "been through hell and back" and still carried on with grit and determination.

 

Customer Service shortlist

Beauty by Gee

Beauty by Gee is described as offering far more than beauty treatments. Gee (Georgia) provides bespoke massage and holistic treatments, and one client says it has changed their life to find somewhere that offers "more than a massage, but a truly holistic experience". She is praised as kind, welcoming and down to earth: someone who listens carefully, takes time to understand each client's needs and provides "a safe space to truly relax".Several clients describe how she has helped with long-standing problems. One says Gee did her utmost to help when their joint pain was becoming unbearable, and another says that over the years "she's fixed every one" of the problems they brought to her. Nominators also highlight her tailored approach, with bespoke packages and payment plans to suit individual needs, and say she is always upskilling to give clients the best experience. One describes her as "a genuinely beautiful soul who has created a business that heals people".

 

Becky Moulds Massage Therapist

Becky is praised as a friendly, professional and caring sports massage therapist who makes every client feel comfortable, relaxed and listened to. Customers say she goes "above and beyond every time", that nothing is too much trouble, and that her kindness and personal touch matter just as much as the treatments themselves. As one put it, "Becky doesn't just provide a sports massage; she makes sure you feel listened to, looked after and valued."Clients also praise the quality of her massages, her knowledge and her commitment to "constantly learning new techniques". Several have been seeing her for years and say they would recommend her "over and over again". One nominator notes that she has built the business she loves alongside working for the NHS and family life.

 

Cafe Natura

Cafe Natura is described as "the perfect meeting place for the community and right in the heart of nature", run by a small team serving fresh local food, home baking and specialty coffee. Customers say there is always "a smile and a warm welcome", and several call it the best independent café in Scunthorpe.Nominators praise its personalised service, saying nothing is too much trouble, for people and dogs alike. A regular who visits most mornings says they are always treated like a special person, and another describes how the staff have gone to great lengths to make the café a safe and comfortable place for them, so that they can now visit every week. Alongside its everyday service, the café also runs community events, including entertainment nights, quizzes and book nights.

 

Loubies Bookshop and Kitchen

Loubies Bookshop and Kitchen is described as "a small sanctuary on Mary St" and the only independent bookshop in Scunthorpe. Customers love the beautiful space the owners have created, "unlike anything else in Scunthorpe", where they can sit with a book in a quiet corner and enjoy home-cooked food and coffee.The owners and team are praised as kind, passionate and welcoming, people who "pay attention to the small things and welcome you like old friends each time you visit". Nominators call it a safe space to recharge and "a home from home", with one saying it has helped their mental health massively. They also mention its wellness and craft events, described as "reasonably priced, inclusive and so much fun", and one notes that Loubie is only 23 and has built the business over the last two years.

 

Mckinnon Mortgages

Mckinnon Mortgages is praised for excellent customer service from start to finish. Clients say Sara has "an incredible knowledge" and "doesn't talk in jargon", looking after them every step of the way and always being on hand to answer questions and offer support. One describes how she put their mind at rest by making sure their mortgage, "the biggest expense of my life", was in safe hands.Nominators say Sara and the team go above and beyond for every single client, both in looking after them and in finding the right deals available to them, and that the team "always receives high praise from their customers for their support".

 

Vizual Mods

Vizual Mods is a vehicle customisation garage run by a group of young people who have been in the business for over a decade. Customers describe its service as "second to none" and call it the "best and most approachable garage in Scunny", with friendly, genuine staff who always go the extra mile.Nominators say it is "more than just your average garage", acting as a support network for its customers and building meaningful relationships with everyone, including its neighbours. The business is also recognised for its wider role in the community, with one nominator saying the owner helps younger people get into work, and another noting that the team does a lot of charity work outside the business.

 

Community Champion shortlist

Creative Cuppa

Creative Cuppa is a friendly coffee shop "in the heart of Kirton" that has become a hub for both the local community and local makers. It gives small businesses shelf space to sell their handmade creations, from crafts and artwork to jewellery and handbags, and is praised as "a wonderful place that celebrates local talent".Customers describe it as a warm, friendly space for everyone, where people can meet, chat and enjoy good food, or simply sit and relax. It also promotes crafting events and runs group sessions that anyone can book. Nominators credit it with building "an amazing creative community in Kirton Lindsey" and improving community spirit, and call it a "huge asset to the town".

 

Footy 4 kids

Footy 4 Kids is praised for its fantastic coaches, who nurture children's football, social and listening skills from the age of two. Parents describe them as positive role models who make every session fun and engaging.One parent, whose son has attended since he was two, says the coaches "go above and beyond for every single child that walks into their coaching sessions", and describes how welcoming they are and how much they care. Their "professionalism, enthusiasm and pure passion" are highlighted as deserving wider recognition. Another nominator, whose son is one of the people behind Footy 4 Kids, says he keeps giving back to the community through the sessions and through his work as a teacher, despite having had open heart surgery as a child.

 

Fusion Cheerleading and Dance

Fusion Cheerleading and Dance is a small, family-run club that gives young people in Scunthorpe "a safe and exciting space" to dance, cheer and grow in confidence. Families describe it as "one big family", where the coaches give "endless hours of their own time" and patience to every child, and one parent says their daughter "felt part of the family from day 1".Parents say the club teaches teamwork, discipline, resilience and respect, builds self-esteem and gives children a real sense of belonging, with leadership opportunities for young people too. Its community spirit shows in the way it helps athletes fundraise to compete abroad, collects toys for underprivileged children at Christmas, and supports causes such as Cash for Kids and the Rainbow Memorial Garden Summer Fundraiser. Parents help out with the tuck shop and events, and the club brings families together with bingo nights and Halloween parties. As one nominator put it, it is a "small club making big dreams".

 

Normanby Park Riding School

Nominators describe Normanby Park Riding School as "more than just" a riding school. It welcomes people of every age and ability, including people with disabilities, and is praised for going "above and beyond to make the sport accessible to all regardless of background or financial circumstances".Many nominations mention the devastating fire at the yard earlier this year. Nominators say the team "lost everything they had and risked their own lives" to lead the horses to safety, and that the school kept going afterwards, with the community coming together to raise funds to get the yard back on its feet. Parents and grandparents describe how children build friendships and confidence there, learning to work and listen in partnership with the horses through lessons, camps and helping on site. The staff, including Sarah, are praised as helpful and caring, and nominators say the horses and ponies are "so well looked after".

 

Not Done Yet

Not Done Yet was set up by Sue a year ago to help midlife women, particularly those going through the perimenopause and menopause, whom one nominator calls "an often forgotten group". She gives women in their 40s and beyond the confidence to step into the gym and take up strength training, many of them for the very first time.Many women say Sue has changed their lives, improving their strength, fitness, confidence and mental health. Her workouts are described as "educational, challenging and fun", and she has built a community of "like-minded strong women who lift each other up". Sue runs individual and group sessions using two local gyms, and is described as generous in sharing her knowledge with other small businesses. One nominator calls her an inspiration to everyone who thought they were 'past it', because, as Sue says, "We are not done yet!"

 

One for the Girls

One for the Girls supports women across Scunthorpe, both in person and online, through mental health struggles, loneliness and difficulties in their relationships. Nominators say it makes a real difference to every woman who walks through its doors.Members and their families share how much it has meant to them. One woman explains that during a period of depression and anxiety, even with counselling, she never felt anyone truly understood how she felt, until she joined and no longer felt alone. A husband describes how his wife had been lost and lonely, and how her mental health and confidence have grown since attending, with a knock-on effect on the whole family. As another nominator puts it simply, it "literally saves lives".