(Image: Provided)
A North East sandwich shop could soon be crowned the UK’s favourite spot for a bite to eat.
Crave, a deli based in Sunderland with locations at Mackies Corner and Sea Road, is in the running for the title of the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026 in a national competition organised by Town & City Gift Cards.
The shop is owned by husband-and-wife team Ben Harman and Elisa Ricci, who previously ran the Italian restaurant San Marino.
Mr Harman said: "I've worked in hospitality since I was 16 and when I met my wife Elisa, her dad owned Italian restaurant San Marino.
"When he retired, we took the business over.
"The pandemic really tested us and so in 2023 we decided to retrain in completely new industries, myself as a mortgage advisor and Elisa in the beauty industry.
"We did it for nine months but it wasn’t for us.
"Our previous landlord had a shop in the city’s historic Mackies Corner, the home of independent businesses, and was looking for a sandwich shop to move in.
"We took the plunge, opening Crave in 2025."
The competition, supported by Sunderland BIDs, invites people to nominate their favourite business for a chance to win a share of £2,000 in Town & City Gift Cards.
The business with the most nominations will receive a £1,000 gift card, and one nominator will also win a £1,000 card.
Crave is one of more than 200 businesses that accept the Sunderland Gift Card.
Mr Harman said: "Being nominated as the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026 in our second year means the world.
"We focus on great sandwiches and offering a positive experience to everyone that walks through the door, which I think comes from our many years of customer service experience in the hospitality industry.
"Tastes have changed, especially here in Sunderland, and while fast food has its place, people are really looking for a unique experience and something different, like what we offer at Crave."
The deli has already won praise from customers.
Trish Bradford, who nominated Crave, said: "When you walk into Crave, it’s a joy because of the love they have for food, which is all made on site with care.
"They have a smile for everyone, and no request is too complicated.
"They know their customers and have a laugh with everyone, it really makes your day.
"It gives Crave such a lovely vibe when you walk in.
"I think they deserve to be the UK’s Favourite Local Business because of the graft they put in and because of the love and joy they have for food.
"They also support other local independents, which all helps to bring life back to our high streets."
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Other Sunderland businesses nominated so far include Slice, Angelo’s Ristorante, No.32, The Sweet Petite, Pop Recs, Mexico 70, Ashbrooke Home, and Blacks Corner.
Roberta Redecke, Head of Business Services at Sunderland’s BIDs, said: "Since its launch just over a year ago, Crave has become a well-loved local business in the city, so much so that it has expanded to a second location.
"This shows the power that supporting local businesses has, helping our city to continue to grow and develop."