A couple from Altrincham have just been crowned Great British Entrepreneurs of the Year for their vegan chocolate brand.
The founders of the vegan chocolate brand, LoveRaw, have also been named Family Business Entrepreneurs of the Year, as well as the coveted Great British Entrepreneurs of the Year – both for the North West region – at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2020.
They are now in the running to be named overall Great British Entrepreneurs of the Year 2020 at the National Finals.
With an amazing success trajectory, co-founders – husband and wife team Rimi and Manav Thapar – started LoveRaw in 2013 with a budget of just £600.
They adopted the mantra “chocolate first, vegan second”.
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Since then, the couple’s transparent approach has allowed the business to become an established provider of all-vegan, 100% natural chocolate with no palm oil, no dairy and “no compromise”.
The annual Great British Entrepreneur Awards – now in its eighth year of running – aims to celebrate the inspiring stories of entrepreneurs across the UK and recognises the hard work, determination, creativity and resilience required to rise above the rest.
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With the current restrictions in place due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic preventing the regional finals taking place at a live event, Rimi and Manav won the award during a virtual ceremony.
They were joined by all other regional finalists online.
Despite complications with the global pandemic, LoveRaw launched its first vegan milk chocolate bar range back in April – alongside the unveiling of a major re-brand – and their most recent product is the first to launch exclusively online.
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The delicious Cre&m Wafer Bar is a world first and it was created right here in Greater Manchester.
Speaking on the win, Rimi Thapar – CEO of LoveRaw – said: “We are beyond thrilled to have won not only one but two GBEA awards. We didn’t think we were in with a chance, so we watched the ceremony in our pyjamas, eating vegan yoghurt out of the tub.
“For the past seven years, we have been hamsters in a wheel going round and round, unable to take a step back and acknowledge our achievements. We couldn’t be prouder that our hard work has been recognised and we are ecstatic to have been selected as the winning entrepreneurs for the North West.
“Congratulations to all the winners – we look forward to the finals!
Manav Thapar – Managing Director at LoveRaw – added: “I cannot believe we won.
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“Rimi and I consider our dedicated team to be part of our family, not just our family business. From all of us at LoveRaw HQ, we’d like to thank our suppliers and advisors for allowing us to create something special. We cannot wait to see what the coming months bring.
“2021 is going to be an exciting year for us as a company – keep your eyes peeled.”
From everyone here at The Manc, a massive congratulations goes out to Rimi and Manav – you’re flying the flag for Manchester.
You can find more information about LoveRaw via the website here.
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Watch the wholesome moment Jude Bellingham gives his jacket to a young mascot to keep him warm
Danny Jones
England supporters are already getting very excited to see Jude Bellingham in the starting 11 ahead of Euro 2024 but the midfielder is winning over even more fans after a clip of a wholesome moment between him and a young mascot went viral.
The Three Lions ended up drawing 2-2 in their second friendly of the international break against Belgium (losing 1-0 to Brazil in the previous game) with Bellingham scoring the equaliser in the final minute of stoppage time.
However, as much as the home fans are looking forward to the Real Madrid star rallying his teammates at the Euros this summer, it was this small but touching interaction with a young kid as the two sides lined up with their mascots just after the walkouts.
Seeing the rain falling and quickly checking in with the small boy sitting in the wheelchair below him, Bellingham rightly offered his pre-match jacket to the little lad to keep him warm.
The reaction online was just as heartwarming too, as countless people jumped on social media to leave comments like, “This is how you know he is Brum, what a nice fella”, “makes me proud to be English” and “Classy as ever from the 20-year-old”.
One person even went so far as to add: “Make this guy captain, wrap him in bubble wrap and take care of him. All youngsters should watch how he conducts himself, absolute professional.”
He wasn’t the only one either, as many eagle-eyed viewers also noted that Manchester City stars Phil Foden and John Stones also gave their jackets to the young mascots standing with him prior to the match. We really do have some lovely lads in this team, don’t we?
Elsewhere, another Greater Mancunian player once again delighted those in the stands and watching back home as Kobbie Mainoo not only made his second appearance and first full start in an England shirt but also earned himself the man of the match award.
The Man United starlet was a late inclusion into Gareth Southgate’s provisional Euros squad, which is likely to change again before the tournament starts, but you won’t find many fans Reds or otherwise wanting him anywhere else other than in the starting lineup.
We’re starting to really like the look of this squad both on and off the pitch and one thing’s for sure, they aren’t just nice blokes – there’s plenty of talent amongst them to win something.
You can watch the highlights of England vs Belgium in full down below:
Indy Man Beer Con will not be returning in 2024 as beloved Manc beer festival ends after more than a decade
Danny Jones
In a gutting bit of news, Indy Man Beer Con have revealed that they will not be returning for 2024 and that last year’s edition of the beloved local festival was their final outing.
Coming to an end after more than a decade of delighting beer fans around Greater Manchester, the North West and the UK as a whole across what they have now looked back on as “10 incredible festivals”, the organisers of Indy Man Beer Con are bringing their successful run to an end.
Following the announcement on Monday, 25 March, founder Jonny Heyes – one of the brains behind Common, Nell’s and Port Street Beer House – said, “The last 12 years have been an amazing journey”.
The independent beer and brewery convention confirmed the news on social media, admitting that it was a “difficult decision” but that they worked with “some of the world’s best breweries” and are full of gratitude to everyone who came through the doors and helped make the festival so popular.
As per Beer Today, Heyes added: “It’s been a huge privilege to witness the UK craft beer scene blossom in front of our eyes, to work with so many fantastic breweries, and witness their creativity, industry, and growth.
“I am humbled that lots of people have taken a great deal of joy and satisfaction from the little event that we’ve spent over a decade putting on. I am beyond chuffed that you chose to spend your time with us deep in the pool at the incredible Victoria Baths.”
The festival went on to note highlights from down the years and urged previous festival-goers to do the same in the comments, citing instances such as the year of the giant cheese wheels, the ‘Beer Trumps Hate’ foam fingers from 2017 and those extremely stubborn temporary tattoos from last year’s festival.
We’ve certainly created plenty of our own memories in our years attending the festival too, and if we had known 2023 was going to be the final one we certainly would’ve poured one out in its memory.
Having made a home at the iconic Grade II-listed Victoria Baths in Chorlton-on-Medlock for four days every year, the Manchester beer festival truly was one of the most highly-anticipated events on the calendar and we’re are genuinely gutted to see it go.
Seeing the reaction from countless other fans online, it’s clear we’re by no means the only ones either.
From one group of fellow beer lovers to another, thanks for the memories and we sincerely hope to see Indy Man Beer Con make a glorious comeback one day.