BUSINESS NEWS
Small firms, big impact
A bookshop built around community, a home fragrance brand offering affordable luxury and a naturebased wellbeing business have been named among the Nation’ s Favourite Businesses.
Three Staffordshire businesses have earned national recognition as part of a campaign celebrating the independent firms bringing fresh ideas, distinctive products and a strong sense of community to towns and cities across the UK.
The Bookery, COW Home & Beauty and Nature Makers have all been included on this year’ s list of 107 Nation’ s Favourite Businesses.
The list forms part of the build-up to Small Business Saturday, which takes place on 5th December and encourages consumers to support independent businesses in their communities.
A new chapter
The Bookery is an independent, dog-friendly bookshop founded by Charley Hughes.
The business began on a small scale before opening at Amerton Farm, near Stafford, earlier this year. Charley subsequently closed the pod at Amerton and announced plans for a shop in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, while continuing to maintain a presence at local venues including The Hub at St Mary’ s in Lichfield.
Community is central to The Bookery’ s approach. Alongside selling books, the business supports independent authors and other small firms and creates opportunities for readers to meet through clubs, events and workshops.
Its Nation’ s Favourite Businesses listing reads:“ The Bookery are passionate about supporting independent authors and local small businesses through their Indie Author shelves and Rent a Shelf scheme. More than a bookshop, The Bookery is a welcoming community space where readers can connect through book clubs, events, workshops and a shared love of discovering great stories.”
Reflecting on its development, a Bookery spokesperson said:“ From starting the business and wrapping books on a small table in my living room to starting markets, pop ups and now a full-blown book shop. We have grown so much.”
Everyday luxury
Also included on the list is COW Home & Beauty, an award-winning fragrance business founded in 2022.
The company produces handmade home, bath and beauty products which it describes as“ affordable feel-good luxury” and“ fragrance that gets noticed”.
Its most popular products include whipped soaps and perfumes, with the business building its offer around distinctive fragrances, product quality and accessible pricing.
A Small Business Saturday spokesperson said:“ With a focus on quality, innovative products and exceptional customer service, COW Home & Beauty have a genuine passion for helping customers across the UK enjoy everyday luxury at affordable prices.”
Its inclusion demonstrates how a relatively young independent brand can establish a clear identity and build a following in a highly competitive consumer market.
Connecting through nature
Completing the Staffordshire trio is Nature Makers, an organisation which began as a small class in Tamworth and has since grown into a nationwide movement with franchises across the UK.
Founded by business strategist Faye Smith, Nature Makers helps families connect with nature and themselves through art, craft and play.
Its practitioners deliver classes, workshops, school programmes, family events, adult wellbeing sessions and community projects. Their work has been praised for helping people to“ slow down, connect and thrive”.
The growth of Nature Makers from a single local class into a wider franchise network illustrates the potential for a simple idea, rooted in community and wellbeing, to be developed into a scalable business.
Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign which celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to shop locally.
This year’ s Staffordshire representatives may operate in very different sectors, but they share many of the qualities associated with successful independent businesses: a strong identity, close customer relationships and the ability to turn a personal idea into something with a much wider impact.
With Small Business Saturday approaching on 5 December, their national recognition also provides a timely reminder of the creativity, resilience and ambition found within Staffordshire’ s small business community.
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