TWO Innerleithen companies have won national recognition at this year’s Scottish Business Awards.

Loulabelle's Sweet Treats Café was named ‘Best Eatery’; while the Hub on the High Street picked up the ‘Biggest Impact on the Community’ accolade at a plush ceremony in the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on Sunday.

Loulabelle’s specialises in home baking and also caters for the vegan and glutton-free market.

But most customers opt for their famous Bakewell tarts. The cafe opened in 2018 and is owned and run by Louise Cumming and her partner Philip Ashcrost.

Louise told the Peeblesshire News: “We are really happy. I still don’t know who nominated us, but I’d like to thank them. There was public voting along with a visit from an inspector and a mystery shopper so it wasn’t just a popularity contest.

“I have been in the hospitality business for some time, but my partner Phil was a mechanical engineer so running the business was a big change for him. Next month we celebrate our fourth birthday but we lost a year due to COVID. I think it’s a big thing for the town with both of us winning.”

The Hub on the High Street is a popular gift shop that stocks a large range of locally produced and sourced items and showcases some of the talent from around the area.

It sells items including jewellery, candles, art and a variety of hand crafted goods plus an impressive selection of Scottish Gins, Whiskies and Craft Beers too.

The shop opened in 2019 and is owned by Pauline Archibald.

Pauline said: “We were initially up for Best Gift Shop but after checking the comments the judges moved us to the Best Impact on the Community category which I think is even better. It’s a lovely award and we are delighted to have won.

“The award was for the Business that has had the most positive impact on their community and was decided on comments as well as votes registered.

“That makes it even more special, and I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to vote and leave such positive comments about The Hub.”