Sakura Studio Gallery, of Stonham Barns Park, named 2025 East of England Rural StartUp of the Year
A Stonham Aspal-based start-up business has been recognised in regional awards and could triumph on the national stage.
Sakura Studio Gallery, of Stonham Barns Park, has been named 2025 East of England Rural StartUp of the Year.
Founded by young mother Albany Tripp in February 2023, Sakura Studio Gallery is an art space dedicated to showcasing independent artists and providing a space for visitors to try out and experiment with their own creativity with workshops on offer in the newly expanded studio space.
Sakura Studio Gallery previously won 2024 East of England Creative StartUp of the Year and Albany went on to compete at the national final – with her toddler and newborn – where she was one of nine regional winners competing for the national title.
Since then, the creative hub has expanded and evolved, with more workshops and social craft mornings.
Albany said: “I am thrilled to have won rural startup of the year and excited to be competing at the national level again. I was so surprised when they announced my business as winner.
“I cannot wait to go to Ideas Fest this year now that my children – Kai and baby daughter Juni – are a little older. It was tough last year with Juni being so tiny, the whole thing was a bit of a blur.
“I feel like we are now hitting our stride and going from strength to strength. I am so grateful to have this art space where I am able to create and share my love for art, support and exhibit other artists and share our creative passions, all while raising my children.”
Prof Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, creator of the UK StartUp Awards, said: “While the headlines are often dominated by big firms, it’s the start-ups that are quietly transforming our economy from the ground up and that’s especially true in the East of England, where new businesses are demonstrating outstanding resilience, creativity, and ambition.
‘I’m delighted Sakura Studio Gallary has won its category.”
The UK StartUp Awards final takes place at Ideas Fest on September 11.