Nineteen impressive small businesses from across London have been included in a line-up of the Nation’s Favourite Businesses for 2026, launched by the Small Business Saturday campaign to support the nation’s 5.7 million small businesses.
As the annual campaign kicks off its call to celebrate and support entrepreneurs from across the country, Amala Chai, which has grown from a Brick Lane market stall to brewing across six London locations, Cocorose London, the multi-award winning British footwear brand behind the world’s first foldable shoe, and Jefferson’s Ice Cream, an independent South London ice cream business founded by husband and wife team, are among the firms featured in this year’s Nation Favourite Businesses, celebrating the UK’s most innovative and admired small businesses.
The Nation’s Favourite Businesses campaign will showcase businesses from the list as part of the official countdown to Small Business Saturday on 5 December. The campaign aims to celebrate and uplift independent firms by encouraging the public to support and spend with small businesses.
Introduced last year, The Nation’s Favourite Businesses builds on the campaign’s long-standing SmallBiz100, a celebration of Britain’s most inspiring entrepreneurs. After a national search, the list includes an array of small firms from across the UK, with small businesses featured from London also including:
Amala Chai- inspired by a family recipe, Akhil Patel has grown the chai business from a Brick Lane market stall to brewing across six London locations.
Being Inclusive – a specialist consultancy founded by Reena Anand focused on helping organisations dismantle barriers and meaningfully value neurodivergent talent.
Breastfeeding Boat – founded by Renate Uijtewaal, a psychologist and mum of two, a unique floating community space in East London offering free breastfeeding and mental health support providing a non-judgemental space for mothers.
Cocorose London – an multi award-winning footwear brand founded by Janan Leo and behind the world’s first foldable shoe
Crossroads Global – driven by real lived experiences, the consultancy delivers a range of services to help organisations and communities understand one another better.
Edge o’ Beyond – designed in London and handcrafted in their Welsh atelier, founder Naomi De Haan has created a luxury lingerie brand focused on craftsmanship, inclusivity, sustainability and local small-batch production.
Hive & Keeper – after keeping bees in her London back garden, Emily Abbott sources British honey from small-scale local beekeepers from across the UK. Every jar is unique, raw and traceable to one beekeeper and one harvest.
Jefferson’s IceCream – run by husband-and-wife team, an independent family-owned ice creamery based in South London, born out of a need to create ice cream that their son could eat whilst he suffered with a stomach intolerance.
Kindy -founded by a mother of two, Inga Millere, created a London-based children’s brand creating real, age-appropriate tools that help children participate in everyday cooking and household tasks.
Moda de la Maria – founded by designer Maria Ruseva, the London-based sustainable womenswear brand focuses on timeless style, heritage tailoring and natural fabrics.
Moving Waves – Based in Haringey, an independently run community-led arts organisation with a mission of making the arts genuinely accessible for everyone.
PLATFORM Store – Founded by Stacy Chan, an independent concept store in Marylebone Lane, bringing together over 25 curated brands from fashion, accessories, homeware and art to help small creative businesses thrive.
Science Owl – founded by Dr Renee Tonkin to make climate education fun, creative and empowering, the BBC-featured environmental STEM education organisation is inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers and climate problem-solvers.
The Pantry Underwear – Founded in 2016 by ‘Pant-repreneur’ Eloise Rigby, with stores in Islington and Saffron Walden alongside its online store, is an independent, inclusive, one-stop destination for lingerie, swimwear, sleep and activewear.
Translator in London – Founded in 2008 in London by chartered Linguist, Jaquelina Guardamagna, helps businesses, institutions and professionals communicate confidently across English and Spanish.
Underscored – Founded in 2024 by sportwear industry veteran, Stuart Saunders, the premium performance sportswear brand creating female-first, racket sport led sportwear without a single petroleum-derived fibre.
Weirdstock – Launched in 2023 by Johanna Haughey-Lewis, independent London-based homewares brand creating bold, 1970s-inspired bedding and cushions in premium, GOTS-certified organic cotton.
WildFlowers of London – Founded in South London in 2016, is an award-winning community collective for professional women. Growing from a handful of women to a 900 plus strong community.
Yoga Retreats and More – Inspired by founder, Florence Achery’s own experience with using yoga to overcome depression, insomnia and challenges of single parenthood, work and study, Yoga Retreats offers affordable, small-group wellbeing retreats and day retreats across the UK and abroad.
Small Business Saturday is a grassroots non-commercial campaign, of which American Express is founder and remains principal supporter in the UK – aimed at celebrating and uplifting independent firms by encouraging the public to go and support their local small businesses.
As part of the initiative, Small Business Saturday will award two eligible businesses featured on the list grants of £10,000 each, funded by American Express, to support their future growth. The grants can be utilised in a range of ways – from upgrading essential equipment, to boosting marketing efforts, or investment in customer experience.
“Small businesses have always been, and will continue to be, among the nation’s favourite businesses. Whether on our high streets, online or embedded in local communities, they play a vital role in the places we live and in the strength of our economy, said Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK.
“This year’s Nation Favourite Businesses are a true representation of the UK’s most-loved small businesses. From independent, family run cafés and local restaurants, to makers, services and traders, they showcase the incredible diversity of the UK’s small business community. We know how important small businesses are and the challenges they face, so as we kick off this year’s Small Business Saturday campaign, we’re urging the public to get behind them during the most critical trading quarter of the year.”
Dan Edelman, General Manager, UK Merchant Services at American Express, said: “Small businesses bring energy, innovation and character to our high streets and local economies. That’s why American Express is proud to have founded Small Business Saturday and why we continue to back small businesses to help them thrive. This year’s Nation’s Favourite Businesses are a brilliant showcase of the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit, and we’re delighted to be providing grant funding that will help two of these inspiring businesses invest in their next chapter of growth.”
Small Business Saturday is the UK’s most successful small business campaign. Since launching in in the UK in 2013, 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.
Akhil Patel, founder of Amala Chai, a London-based Chai business with locations around the city, said: “Being named one of the Nation’s Favourite Businesses means that our story, and the farmers in Assam and Kerala who make it possible, gets heard by more people.
“Small independent businesses are under real pressure, rising costs, and VC-backed chains reshaping our high streets. We started Amala Chai on a market stall, built on my grandmother’s recipe and the belief that what gets commercialised as ‘chai latte’ is a far cry from what it really means and tastes like.”
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 accountants and plumbers. Many small businesses take an active role in promoting the day by hosting events and offering promotions.
Last year, the campaign saw extensive media coverage, as well as public support from the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and Chancellor, leader of the opposition, The Mayor of London, and over 90% of the nation’s local councils.
To learn more Small Business Saturday’s Nation Favourite Businesses, visit: https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/nations-favourite-businesses
