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Warwick shop named one of UK’s 100 most inspiring small businesses

By James Smith 9th Sep 2025

Diffuse Retail opened on Smith Street in 2023 (image by Nub News)
Diffuse Retail opened on Smith Street in 2023 (image by Nub News)

Diffuse Retail in Warwick has been named as one of the UK's 100 most inspiring small businesses for 2025 by the Small Business Saturday campaign, as it kicks off its annual call to champion and support the nation's favourite businesses.

Diffuse Retail, a women's occasionwear boutique which offers customers the unique choice to rent, buy or shop pre-loved dresses for life's special moments, was founded by Hannah Teale in late 2023.

Following a nationwide search, the Smith Street firm has been selected as part of this year's SmallBiz100 line-up, which showcases the most innovative and admired small businesses across the nation, as part of the count-down to Small Business Saturday on 6 December.

Running in the UK for over a decade, Small Business Saturday is the UK's most successful small business campaign, which celebrates small businesses and encourages the public to support and spend with small firms.

"As a new entrepreneur, I started Diffuse Retail with nothing more than a hope to make a positive impact on the fashion industry," Hannah said.

"To be recognised as one of the UK's SmallBiz100 is incredible.

"It's a huge boost of encouragement that what we're building here — bringing more choice, sustainability and accessibility into occasionwear — really matters."

Diffuse Retail was profiled earlier this month as part of the 100- day countdown to Small Business Saturday UK.

Being profiled at the very start of Secondhand September is particularly fitting for Diffuse Retail, as the business was founded on the principles of circular fashion — empowering women with choice and bringing more sustainable options to the high street through rental and pre-loved occasionwear.

This commitment to circular fashion is reflected in the brand's latest initiative. Just last week, Diffuse Retail launched its 2026 prom campaign, where the business unveiled The Second Dance — a new community-led pre-loved prom event that will take place during February half-term, showcasing up to 100 pre-loved dresses with stories to tell.

"Small businesses are the nation's favourite businesses – bringing immeasurable value to our local communities and powering the wider economy," said Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK.

"Firms like Diffuse Retail in this year's SmallBiz100 represent some of the UK's most-loved small businesses.

"It is so important that we encourage public support for small businesses up and down the country, as many are still facing a host of challenges as they enter this critical final stretch of the year."

     

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