Summer's here - and we mean business!

If you find yourself in the West Country, take a closer look at the Summerhouse Bed and Breakfast in Pensford, Somerset, run by profoundly Deaf couple Magda and Piers Kittel, who were the subject of a recent BBC See Hear programme.

The couple, who are parents to baby daughter Adriana, communicate using sign language, gestures and pen and paper, as well as pre-made prompt sheets.

It’s always inspiring to see Deaf people doing so well in business, and Piers and Magda have worked extremely hard to make their B & B a success, and to overcome various challenges along the way.

We hope their story will inspire more Deaf people to run businesses in the travel sector.

The contribution that Piers and Magda and others make isn’t always recognised. But the Deaf Business Awards scheme, run by the Deaf Business Academy, aims to change that. The project is now in its fourth year, and the shortlist has just been revealed across five categories for this year’s awards.

The winners are to be revealed at a special awards ceremony and conference at the Foresight Centre, Liverpool, to be held on June 16. We can't wait!