BOSSES at an ever-growing independent coffee business have been left delighted after being announced as a finalist for two awards.

Braintree-born business Toast is shortlisted for two gongs in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

Known as the “Grammys of entrepreneurship”, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards are now in their tenth year.

The awards are a nationwide search for Britain’s top entrepreneurs - the visionaries, innovators and trailblazers - celebrating the stories behind them instead of solely emphasising financial success.

Toast was launched in Braintree by pals Rob Ely, Dan Pearson and Louis McNamee.

It now has four stores, with another coming to Colchester soon.

The business has been shortlisted in the East of England category for the Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year award and the Retail Entrepreneur of the Year.

Toast was chosen from thousands of applications as a finalist in this year’s awards.

It is one of just six finalists for Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year, which showcases businesses committed to economic growth.

It is also one of five finalists for the Retail Entrepreneur of the Year, which celebrates the creativity and innovation of entrepreneurs who have made their mark in the world of retail.

Rob said: “We’re blown away to be chosen as a finalist in not one but two categories.

“More than 5,000 businesses entered the awards and we’ve been shortlisted together with the brightest, most ambitious and inspiring entrepreneurs in the country.

“To be shortlisted is an achievement and one we’re really proud of.

"We’re just three local lads trying to take on the big coffee boys.”

Judged by a panel of more than 100 experts and entrepreneurs, the winners of all categories will be announced at an awards ceremony held on November 20 at the Grosvenor Hotel in London.

The event will gather 1,500 of the brightest, most ambitious and inspiring entrepreneurs under one roof.

Serial entrepreneur and BBC Dragons' Den star Steven Bartlett referred to it as the "Grammys of entrepreneurship”, bringing businesses from all corners of the UK together for one grand celebration of entrepreneurial excellence.