The UK’s 100 most inspiring small businesses for 2025 have been announced by the Small Business Saturday campaign as it kicks off its annual call to celebrate and support the nation’s favourite businesses.
Independent North Wales pottery cafe ‘Tan y Ddraig’, Belfast-based natural children’s haircare brand ‘Percy & Pop’, Scotland’s ‘Alloa Ballet Company’ and fintech platform ‘The Investment Analyst’ started by a former London city trader, are among those featured in this year’s ‘Small Biz 100’ line-up of the UK’s most innovative and admired small businesses.
Each business will be showcased as part of a 100-day countdown to Small Business Saturday on 6 December. The campaign aims to celebrate and uplift independent firms by encouraging the public to support and spend with small businesses.
After a national search, this year’s SmallBiz100 line-up includes an array of small firms from across the UK, including:
London’s accessible skincare brand Blind Beauty – founded by Hazal Baybasin after her own experience of sight loss
Brighton’s renowned children’s clothing brand Toby Tiger – founded in 1998 by designer Zoe Mellor and now exporting across the EU
Lincolnshire sustainable wedding dress shop Bridal Reloved – offering pre-loved, ex-sample and eco-friendly bridal fashion
North Wales studio Cobra Life Martial Arts – founded by Gavin Eastham in 2018
Family-run B&B Sunnyside Guest House in Southport, offering exceptional hospitality
Black Swan Sauna near Bath – founded by Lexy Recurt to offer natural wellness retreats
Department store Walker & Ling – running since 1892 in Weston-Super-Mare
The Hub Newry – one of the first co-working spaces in Northern Ireland
Duplikat in Margate – a creative Risograph print studio run by Rich and Estelle Morris
Pregnancy digital support platform Align Birth in Scotland
Despite signs that small business confidence is returning, the UK’s 5.45 million small firms continue to face an array of economic challenges. Campaigners say public support will be vital for small businesses heading into the final critical peak period of the year and essential to powering much-needed economic growth.
“Small businesses are the nation’s favourite businesses – bringing immeasurable value to our local communities and powering the wider economy,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK.
“From family-run cafés and local restaurants, to independent makers, services and traders, this year’s SmallBiz100 represents some of the UK’s most-loved small businesses. It is exciting to kick off this year’s campaign – with small firms still facing lots of challenges, public support makes all the difference as independent firms enter their most critical quarter of the year.”
Small Business Saturday is a grassroots non-commercial campaign that was originally founded by American Express in the U.S. in 2010, and the brand remains the campaign’s principal supporter in the UK.
Dan Edelman, General Manager, UK Merchant Services at American Express, said: “Through our long-standing support of Small Business Saturday, American Express is proud to champion the nation’s small businesses. Congratulations to this year’s SmallBiz100, which once again showcases the incredible vibrancy and innovation of small firms and the important place they have in local communities.”
Optimism among the UK’s small and medium-sized businesses has grown for a third consecutive year, according to American Express’ ‘SME Barometer’ research conducted in partnership with Small Business Saturday, which surveyed decision makers at 1,000 UK small and medium-sized businesses. Almost seven in 10 (69%) say they are confident about the future of their company, rising from 67% in 2023 and 65% in 2022. There are also encouraging signs when looking ahead to the remainder of the year; almost three-fifths of respondents (57%) believe sales will be better this year than in Q4 2024.
Small Business Saturday is the UK’s most successful small business campaign. Over the decade it has been running in the UK, it has engaged millions of people and seen billions of pounds spent with small businesses across the UK on Small Business Saturday, with an impact that lasts all year round.
“We’re incredibly proud to be selected as part of this year’s SmallBiz100 – it’s a real honour and a huge boost for our small but passionate team,” said Maya Eilon, Co-Founder of Mont58 Coffee, which has sites in London and Kent.
“Being recognised in this way shines a spotlight on the dedication and love we pour into what we do every day. The Small Business Saturday campaign is such an important initiative. It not only champions the creativity and resilience of independent businesses across the UK, but also reminds communities how vital it is to shop local and support the businesses that bring character and heart to our high streets.”
On Small Business Saturday, customers across the UK go out and support all types of small businesses, from independent shops and restaurants to small service and b2b businesses like plumbers and accountants. Many small businesses take an active role in promoting the day by hosting events and offering promotions.
Last year, the campaign saw support from the Prime Minister, the Mayor of London and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Over 90% of local councils also supported the campaign, which trended across social media on the day.
To learn more about Small Business Saturday’s SmallBiz100, visit https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/small-biz-10
