Grimsby company shortlisted in UK’s funniest small business names award

• Leaky Finders Ltd, It Started With a Stitch and Top of the Clops amongst small businesses shortlisted in competition to find the UK’s funniest small business name
• Members of the public can vote for their favourite, who will be crowned the ‘UK’s Best Small Business Name 2023’, and win a £2,500 prize from Simply Business
• Research revealed that a third (28%) of people are more likely to shop at a small business with a witty or funny business name compared to those without

The shortlist for the competition to find the UK’s funniest small business name has been announced, with embroidery business It Started With a Stitch, natural dog treat brand For Paws Truly, and ethical chick hatching project Eggucation all featuring in the final round.

The competition by small business insurance provider Simply Business was launched to celebrate the wit, creativity, and humour of the nation’s small business owners. Last year, Perky Blenders, a London-based specialty coffee roasters, beat over 2000 other punny-names small businesses to be presented with the hotly contested accolade. 

The UK public can now vote for their favourite small business name at https:/www.simplybusiness.co.uk/you-name-it-we-insure-it/ 

The voting closes on 8th March and the winner of the £2,500 will be announced the following week.

The full 2023 shortlist includes: 

Business Name	Location	Business Type
IT STARTED WITH A STITCH	Grimsby	Craft and embroidery specialist
For Paws Truly	Portsmouth	Natural dog treats
Top Of The Clops	Wellington	Online equestrian store
Up The Garden Bath	Huntingdon	Upcycling unwanted waste materials to garden planters
Eggucation	Sheffield	Ethical school chick hatching projects
Leaky finders Ltd	Brixham	Locomotive engineers
Herstorical Tours	Crystal Palace	Theatrical walking tours of London where women’s history is brought to life.
Sweeping Beauty	Paisley, Scotland	Cleaning services
Grout of This World	Suffolk	Tiler
Pipe Down	Norwich	Heating and plumbing specialists

Simply Business’ recent study of 2,000 consumers revealed that a witty or funny business name can play a huge role in helping small businesses succeed, with one third (28%) of people stating they’d be more likely to shop at a small or local business with a funny or witty business name compared to those without. Two thirds (64%) of people would also be more likely to notice a small or local business with a funny or witty business name. 

Small businesses are vital to local communities and people are noticeably preferring to shop small rather than at larger chains. Given the choice, nearly nine in ten (88%) people prefer to shop at small, local, or independent businesses when compared to larger chains, or a mixture of small businesses together with larger chains. 

Alan Thomas, UK CEO at Simply Business said “The impact that a memorable name can have on your business is incredible – our research showed that people really warm to small businesses who have shown their personality through an imaginative name.

“With close to six million small businesses across the UK, small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and collectively provide trillions of pounds to the UK economy. We’re really excited that, with the relaunch of our ‘You Name It. We Insure It.’ campaign, we can give a cash boost to a UK SME, and celebrate the creativity of small businesses across the UK.”