10 positive small business stories across the UK and Ireland in 2025

Open the business pages on any given day and you'll likely see stories of rising costs, closures and uncertainty for entrepreneurs. There's no denying the challenges, but that's not the full story.

Across the UK and Ireland, small firms are showing resilience, ingenuity and optimism. They're growing, exporting, hiring and proving that the small business community is still full of momentum.

The idea for this list formed when I read a BBC article about The Entertainer, a high-street retailer that's kept its ethos and people at the heart of what it does, while still expanding in 2025.

It made me think: we need more coverage like this! So, I started my own list. Some people keep gratitude lists, I keep a list of small businesses doing good. And where better to start than with The Entertainer…

1. The Entertainer

Year founded: 1981

Location: Amersham, Buckinghamshire

The Entertainer is a family-run toy retailer that's defied expectations on the high street. While many retailers were retrenching, this company continues to open new stores and expand internationally.

By blending a strong e-commerce offer with physical retail, and keeping values and customer service at its core, The Entertainer shows that heritage brands can still innovate and grow.

2. Delhicious

Year founded: 2020

Location: London

Delhicious began in Zara and Zak Saleem's kitchen with just £500. After the pair were turned down on BBC's Dragons' Den, they doubled down on their vision of South Asian-inspired natural skincare.

Viral moments on TikTok helped fuel demand, and by 2025 the company's products are stocked in Superdrug, with sales topping £5 million. It's a story of persistence, creativity and believing in your product even when others say no.

Image credit: Ecommerce Age

3. Simmer Eats

Year founded: 2017

Location: London

What started as two brothers cooking extra meals at university has become one of the fastest-growing food delivery brands in the UK. Simmer Eats now delivers nationwide, specialising in ready-to-heat meals.

In 2025, the company reported £36.1 million turnover and a three-year growth rate of over 200%, all without outside investors. Built on reinvestment and a loyal customer base, Simmer Eats shows how lean, founder-led businesses can scale at speed.

I recently interviewed Simmy Dhillion, founder of Simmer Eats, at Ideas Fest. And what stuck with me most is the need to support young entrepreneurs at this critical stage in their lives.

4. Lucy & Yak

Year founded: 2017

Location: Brighton

Lucy & Yak has always been known for its bold designs and ethical approach to fashion, but 2025 has marked a new chapter.

In August, the company announced it would transition to employee ownership, a thoughtful succession plan that secures the brand's future by placing its people and community at the centre of decision-making.

At the same time, it's continued to expand, moving its Cambridge store to a larger site and opening a new flagship in Brighton's North Road, furthering its buyback scheme for pre-loved garments.

September 2025 also saw the launch of L&Y, a sub-brand offering more muted tones, created in response to community feedback while staying true to sustainable production.

Beyond growth, Lucy & Yak has made 2025 a year of celebrating diversity and sustainability.

From a limited-edition collection designed by a neurodivergent artist during Neurodiversity Celebration Week to a Pride campaign themed "The Bonds Between Us" that supported LGBTQIA+ charities in India and the UK, the brand continues to embed social causes authentically into its work.

Closing the year with the title of Brand of the Year at the Drapers Conscious Fashion Awards, Lucy & Yak proves that profitability, inclusivity and planet-friendly practices can go hand in hand.

Image credit: Lucy & Yak

5. Fair Shot

Year founded: 2021

Location: London

Fair Shot is a coffee shop and social enterprise that provides training and employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autism.

By 2025, dozens of trainees have moved into permanent roles at partner employers, including global brands. The café is thriving in central London, showing how commercial success and genuine social impact can go hand in hand.

6. Robert's Happy Hens

Year founded: 2020

Location: Bransford, Worcestershire

Thirteen-year-old Robert Craddock has turned a birthday gift of two hens into Robert's Happy Hens – Farm Fresh Eggs, a growing egg business now producing around 10 dozen eggs a week.

Founded in 2020, when Robert was just eight, the venture has expanded to 15 laying hens and livestock, all funded by reinvesting his profits.

In 2025, Robert won the Kaleb Cooper New Entrant of the Year award at the Young British Farming Awards, recognised for his passion and commitment to the industry.

His story is a reminder that entrepreneurial drive can start young and that, with dedication and community support, even the smallest beginnings can lead to meaningful success.

7. HutanBio

Year founded: 2019

Location: Cambridge

HutanBio is tackling one of the toughest challenges of our time: decarbonising transport. The company has developed a patented algae-based biofuel that can be used in shipping and aviation.

In 2025, it's gaining recognition for both innovation and measurable impact, with every tonne of fuel produced removing nearly two tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. A small team with a big mission, HutanBio shows that start-ups can find breakthrough solutions.

Image credit: HutanBio

8. Fearne & Rosie

Year founded: 2019

Location: Yorkshire Dales

Founded by Rachel Kettlewell, Fearne & Rosie makes low-sugar jams that have found their way onto supermarket shelves nationwide.

Built from cold-calling buyers and hand-delivering samples, the brand has grown into a £2 million turnover company. In 2025, it continues to expand, showing that a regional food producer with a clear mission can reach customers far beyond its local roots.

9. Orange Bakery

Year founded: 2019

Location: Watlington, Oxfordshire

Started by teenager Kitty Tait and her father, Orange Bakery quickly won hearts with its handmade sourdough and pastries.

After crowdfunding their first permanent shop, they now attract queues around the block. In 2025, as independent bakeries face challenges, Orange Bakery stands out as a thriving, community-powered success story.

10. Marlowe & Co

Year founded: 2021

Location: Dublin

Marlowe & Co is an independent lifestyle shop selling artisan gifts and homeware. In 2025, it won Ford Ireland's "Ultimate Pro" award, securing a branded van to expand deliveries and logistics.

For a small independent, the recognition and support provide a platform for growth – and a reminder that high-street retailers can seize opportunities and thrive.

Final thoughts

These are just 10 of the stories I've been collecting, each one different, but all showing that small businesses can and do succeed in 2025.

If you're a member of Enterprise Nation with a story to share, I'd love to hear it. Get in touch with me at polly@enterprisenation.com and maybe your business will be next on the list.

Real stories, real success

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