Cycling UK announces Cyclist Café of the Year Winners
Posted on in Cycles News
This year's winner of the annual Cyclist Café of the Year awards, organised by Cycling UK, has been announced today!
The awards were voted for by cyclists across the UK that frequently visit cafés before, during and after their rides
Over 1000 cafés were nominated, which were then judged by an expert panel of cyclists and judges including Celebrity Masterchef winner, Angellica Bell. This year, a new category was also introduced: the People's Choice.
Hannah Duncan, Cycling UK's cake and coffee expert said:
"There was some pretty stiff competition this year across all the home nations for the top café choices for cyclists in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and all the winners are well worth making a detour for. Particular mention should go to Bank View Café in South Yorks, which received the Lifetime Achievement award for delivering more than 100 years of service to Britain's cyclists.
"When it came to the People's Choice award though, there could be only one: Velolife! The owner Lee has been through hell and back over the last two years, so it's heart warming to see the cycling community get behind his amazing café and recognise the great café Maidenhead is very lucky to have."
According to Cycling UK, Velolife in Maidenhead (Berkshire), was the clear winner of the People's Choice receiving 20% of all nominations. The owner Lee Goodwin had recently been threatened with closure by the council if he allowed cyclists to gather on the premises; cyclists and coffee drinkers around the UK banded together to help get him through it- read more here.
"It is so awesome to be chosen for the People's Choice Award.
"We have been through a lot this year and to be a part of such an amazing community, that is so much bigger than us, is amazing! It's an honour to serve such an incredible community and we are very proud to be chosen for the People's Choice Award! Thank you."-Lee Goodwin, Velolife owner
Angellica Bell said: "Velolife received a staggering amount of votes - and it's great news that coffee drinking cyclists can now return to their favourite haunt making it a real people's choice winner. A well-deserved award!"
Other winning cafés included:
The Feed Station (Somerset) - England
The Auction Room (Derry Londonderry) - Northern Ireland
Lanterne Rouge (East Lothian) - Scotland
Pedal Power (Cardiff) - Wales
Bank View Café (South Yorkshire) - Lifetime Achievement