Last Thursday (19 of July) the LEAP Entrepreneur of the Year was announced at a glittering ceremony at the Amex Stadium during the Lewes Business Awards.

The winner, Sara Williams of the Patchwork Cat in Newhaven took the prize, along with a cheque for £2,500 to help start her business. The Patchwork Cat is a haberdashery shop and café with space for crafting workshops due to open on the 11th of August at 3 Newhaven Square.

The award was contested by four other finalists who had undertaken a series of business workshops, seminars and mentoring run by EDEAL Enterprise Agency and fully funded by Lewes District Council. Stephen Holt, Business Development Manager for EDEAL said “LEAP is a comprehensive programme of support, and each of our five finalists have really been put through their paces since January to make sure that we had the best business plan.”

The Patchwork Cat will be running a variety of crafting workshops including mothers and toddlers; children’s birthday parties and special sessions for adults and children with learning difficulties as well as affordable services to the elderly to combat loneliness.

The café will open with seating for 24 customers serving homemade and locally sourced cakes, rolls and sandwiches as well as great tea and coffee.

Stephen said, “One of the fantastic things about this business is that it will create a new creative and community space in Newhaven for residents and visitors, maximising the creative potential of the area and also benefiting from the enterprise zone.”

Sara Williams said “I want to say a huge thank you to LEAP and Lewes District Council for giving me this fantastic opportunity. Already, I have secured investment from a number of sources and I’m looking forward to my launch event. It’d be great to see you there!”

Stephen concluded “This year, residents within the Lewes District Council can receive business support and mentoring, fully funded, via business start up workshops and 1-2-1 business advice and social media training. It is open for all businesses in the region at whatever stage of their development. So, if you are starting up a business, or want to discuss an idea with one of our expert mentors – just take a LEAP with us – call 01323 641 144 or visit www.yourleap.co.uk”