An independent bakery and café in Richmond has been voted London's best in the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2024.

Swiss Bread, an artisan bakery in Ashburnham Road dedicated to bringing customers a "taste of Switzerland", was recognised as the capital's best café in the small business awards.

The bakery and café, founded by best friends from Switzerland, Andre and Tanja, at the start of lockdown, is the only authentic Swiss bakery in the UK, making breads, pastries and cakes using traditional methods

Swiss Bread celebrated its win in a Facebook post, saying: "Thank you so much for voting for us!

"We were up against some incredible businesses and we are so incredibly proud to have won best café in London."

Your Local Guardian: Swiss bread is an independent, family-run businessSwiss bread is an independent, family-run business (Image: Swiss Bread)

They added: "We are immensely proud of this win and representing Richmond.

"It’s incredible to think about all these votes we received from our customers.

"We could not have done it without their support and our incredible team."

Owner Andre said on an Instagram video: "This is only possible because of our staff and our lovely customers."

The Muddy Stilettos Awards spotlight exceptional small independent lifestyle businesses across 28 counties in the UK.

This year, the free awards have reached 10 million people in eight weeks, with more than 515,000 votes cast nationwide, making it the most popular Muddy Awards to date.

The capital had 21 award winners, including beauty salon Still London in Dalston, and hotel The Ned in the City of London.

After this win, Swiss Bread, along with other regional winners, will automatically advance to the prestigious National Finals of the Muddy Stilettos Awards.

The Muddy Stilettos Editors will oversee and decide the 'Best of the Best' in each category.

The National Winners will be announced on July 11, 2024.