Having a business in this current economic climate beset with uncertainty and rising trading costs can be tough. A small business insurance provider has carried out research that reportedly shows having a quirky name could help a business stay front and centre of customers' minds.
Simply Business who say they provide insurance to over 800,000 UK small businesses and landlords, conducted research that reportedly shows two thirds (64%) of people would be more likely to notice a small or local business with a funny or witty business name. The award-winning insurance provider has launched a competition to find the UK’s funniest small business name and are inviting the public to get involved.
The competition by Simply Business has been launched to celebrate the wit, creativity, and humour of the nation’s small business owners. The voting closes on March 8 and the winner will receive a £2,500 prize which will be announced the following week.
Here is the full shortlist. You can cast your vote here for your favourite small business name.
| 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 | Sufflok | Tiler |
| Pipe Down | Norwich | Heating and plumbing specialists |
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Other research from Simply Business' study of 2,000 consumers, is reported to show one third (28%) of people are more likely to shop at a small or local business with a funny or witty business name compared to those without. 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 shows 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.”
