Crave has been nominated as the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026. The competition gives people the chance to win a share of £2,000 in Town & City Gift Cards, such as the Sunderland Gift Card
A Sunderland deli with two city centre locations, owned by a husband and wife team, is in the running to be the UK’s favourite.
Crave, located on Mackies Corner and newly opened on Sea Road in the city, is known for its fresh sandwiches, home-made focaccia and Crave combos. Run by Elisa Ricci and Ben Harman, previously of San Marino, Crave is one of the businesses nominated in the national UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026 competition from Town & City Gift Cards.
Backed by Sunderland BIDs, people can nominate their favourite local business in the competition free, giving the name of the Sunderland business they think deserves to win and a reason. Shops, restaurants, salons, hotels, attractions and services are all eligible to be the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026.
The UK’s Favourite Local Business which receives the most nominations in the competition will win a £1,000 Town & City Gift Card, such as the Sunderland Gift Card, with one person who nominated the winner receiving a £1,000 Town & City Gift Card.
Ben Harman, co-owner of Crave, 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 9 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 concept for Crave came from the restaurant. I used to make focaccia at the restaurant and we’d always say it would make a great sandwich. We spent time getting the bread right and started small with just 4 sandwiches. Now, we have our Crave combos, different breads and fresh salad boxes too. We recently added a steak and blue cheese sandwich in a nod to Greggs’ Steak and Stilton bake. I think it’s good to be a bit playful with the menu with interesting specials.
“Being nominated as the UK’s Favourite Local Business 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.”
Crave is one of over 200 businesses which accept the Sunderland Gift Card from Sunderland BIDs.
Ben adds: “The Sunderland Gift Card is a great initiative because it encourages people into the city centre and gives them money to spend while they’re there, locking spend into the city. The change in the city centre over the past five years is phenomenal; it’s unrecognisable to what it was. Sunderland BIDs do a fantastic job at supporting local businesses, including through the Sunderland Gift Card.”
Trish Bradford is one of the people who nominated Crave and 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.
“The Sunderland Gift Card is a brilliant idea to encourage people to spend in our city with businesses like Crave. You can feel good knowing it’s going back to your city. And it has a positive snowball effect by helping businesses stay open, thrive and expand, which in turn makes Sunderland vibrant and exciting.”
Other Sunderland businesses nominated in the UK’s Favourite Local Business competition 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. Please take a moment to nominate your favourite local business in Sunderland as the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026 for a chance to win a £1,000 Sunderland Gift Card just before Christmas.”
Colin Munro, CEO of Miconex, said: “As we head into the peak Christmas trading period, it has never been more important to support our local businesses. Simple actions like choosing a local business over an online trader, choosing the Sunderland Gift Card over national alternatives or nominating a business to be the UK’s Favourite Local Business are easy ways to help our high streets to thrive.”
Enter the UK’s Favourite Local Business competition free at: www.lovelocalwin.co.uk until the 30th November 2026.
The Sunderland Gift Card is available to buy for consumers and organisations.