Three new business owners win £3,500 at Eastbourne start-up awards

Sam Pole
By Sam Pole
Published 27th Nov 2023, 15:45 BST
Updated 27th Nov 2023, 15:46 BST
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A home baker, a painter and decorator and a professional dog carer have all scooped prizes totalling £3,500 in Eastbourne’s first business start-up awards.

The three women are winners in the Local Enterprise & Apprenticeship Platform (LEAP) programme launched this year under The Business Support in Eastbourne project that has received £77,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is supported by Eastbourne Borough Council.

Elli Meekings, the founder and sole baker of Elli’s Edibles Bakery, was announced the overall winner at an awards ceremony on Thursday (November 23) and took home the first prize of £2,500.

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A former fashion and textiles student, Ellie has combined her enthusiasm for design and passion for baking to create delicious treats that she sells twice a week at Eastbourne Borough Market and at numerous local events such as Wyntercon and Campermarmalade.

Eve, Kimi, Elli and Cllr Holt (L to R) at the awards evening. Picture: Eastbourne Borough CouncilEve, Kimi, Elli and Cllr Holt (L to R) at the awards evening. Picture: Eastbourne Borough Council
Eve, Kimi, Elli and Cllr Holt (L to R) at the awards evening. Picture: Eastbourne Borough Council

Joint second place with prizes of £500 each went to Kimi Westgate of Rosey’s Redecoration and Eve Lumb of Mutts About You Ltd.

Rosey's Redecorating is a socially responsible painting and decorating service that prioritises the welfare of vulnerable people, while Mutts About You Ltd offers a range of professional dog care services including boarding, day care, walking, play sessions and home visits.

Councillor Stephen Holt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, said: “Congratulations to Elli, Kimi and Eve for their hard work in turning their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

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“This is the first year of the LEAP programme in Eastbourne and it has been a great success in helping local people get a whole breadth of business ideas off the ground through workshops, one to one mentoring and support with creating business plans.”