Independent yarn and stationery shop in Lancaster named one of the Nation’s Favourite Businesses for 2026
Ethel & Em in Lancaster has been named as one of the Nation’s Favourite Businesses by the Small Business Saturday campaign, as it kicks off its annual call to champion and support the nation’s favourite small businesses.
Ethel & Em, which an independent yarn and stationery shop in Lancaster, built on a love of making, creativity and community, was founded by Melanie Shed in 2019.
Following a nationwide search, the Lancaster firm has been selected as part of this year’s Nation’s Favourite Business line-up, in a shake up from the campaign’s long-standing SmallBiz100.
The Nation’s Favourite Businesses campaign will showcase each business as part of the official countdown to Small Business Saturday on 5 December – a grassroots non-commercial campaign, originally founded by American Express in the U.S. in 2010, and the principal supporter in the UK, aimed at celebrating and uplifting independent firms by encouraging the public to support and spend with small businesses.
“We’re absolutely delighted to be named one of Small Business Britain’s Nation’s Favourite Businesses. Ethel & Em has always been about much more than what we sell. It’s about creativity, community and making people feel welcome, whether they’ve been crafting for years or are just having a go. To have that recognised nationally is pretty special, and a lovely reflection of the community that has grown around our little Lancaster shop.”
“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.
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’s Favourite Businesses, visit: https://
