This little "Piggy's Cafe" scoops top National Cafe Award
13th January 2003
Dave Small who runs Piggy's, a tiny cafe in Lyneham village can at last think big - thanks to his regulars who nominated his popular establishment the "Best Cafe in Britain".

A National competition run by car rental Europcar, proved that Piggy's Cafe was so popular in the national survey, that it was far ahead in the nominations than it's closest rivals.

Europcar set out on a journey to find Britain's best cafe, being inundated with more than 250 nominees after its launch last September, aimed at people who eat and go. The criteria included friendliness and, of course, the standard of the cooking.

The 24 seats at Piggy's were full this morning when celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson served up a VIP breakfast to thank the regulars who have helped Dave and his wife Karen build up the family business over the last 3 years. He also was in true voice with his wicked sense of humour serving a traditional "piggy's" breakfast to the locals. Antony, affectionately known as AWT provided useful culinary tips and ideas to the busy Piggy's staff. He spoke of his affection to pigs, as he has a small holding himself and caters for their lifestyle and loves the snorting animal. Piggy's cafe derived it's name from the pigs bacon and the traditional bacon sandwich, served daily in the cafe. The successful family business has numerous ceramic pigs in the cafe to provide an authentic feel to the popular cafe.

Traditional British cafes may be on a decline as a growing trend towards more 'lifestyle' eateries but Europcar are aiming to raise the profile of the Cafe as many people still use the canteens. Dave Small, owner to the Piggy's Cafe, is proud to receive this national award, owes the success to the small team of dedicated staff providing "Brilliant friendly service". "We provide a service as we would expect to be served, the food is outstanding and excellent value for money". A good sign to a popular eating place is on the popularity, when you travel you never go to the chip shop that is empty, the locals will indicate where the good food is served. This is true at Piggy's Cafe, in the 3 years Dave has taken over as owner, it's popularity has grown considerably. The staff are always busy. A high percentage of the customers are from Lyneham and tend to use the cafe regularly, many use the takeaway option too.

"An amazing achievement, for a small cafe in Lyneham, with a phenomenal amount of the votes" Adrian Write, Advertising and Marketing Manager for Europcar recalls. "We were overwhelmed by the amount of local support this cafe receives".

Antony Worrall Thompson, celebrity chef and restaurant owner himself, is pleased to see that the tradition cafe is here to stay, "Local food for local people, this is a great cafe and I will always look out for a quick fry up". He presented the Europcar Best Cafe in Britain plague to Dave Small and congratulated him on his success. Dave received a branded apron, kitchen knife set, and plaque that will be mounted with pride on the wall.

Karen Taylor, who lives in the village, a regular to Piggy's, nominated the cafe in the national competition ended up as a lucky winner herself. She receives a prize from Europcar, a holiday to Spain. She recalls, "Piggy's is great, it serves good food all the time, the staff are brilliant, and what's more, you get value for money". "Piggy's is never empty".

As Piggy's Cafe opens at 7.30 in the morning, and many regulars are queuing for their breakfast, including a large majority of business people who cannot attend their meetings without the traditional bacon sandwich inside them. The cafe is on the main street in the tiny village. Dave and Karen Small, pictured right, are extremely proud to receive this top award and owe their thanks to the staff who pleasingly provide excellent service and great food. You can be served the traditional breakfast, lasagne, rump steak and fish and chips, "That's not bad for a little cafe" Dave recalls.

Mark Hudd and Rick Beckles, who work locally at Wiltshire Car Centre often visit Piggy's Cafe for their breakfast fry up. They both echo other customers delight and say "It is brilliant for Piggy's to receive this top award. We regularly get our morning top-up and enjoy the takeaway option too". "Piggy's is always full, and serves excellent food".