Born out of a creative spark during the 2020 lockdown, Literary Craft Parlour has grown from a passion project to a globally admired small business. Founded by Marianne Coote in Bath, this online shop transforms a love of literature into handcrafted décor and gifts inspired by fictional worlds, captivating book lovers across the globe.
Recently, Literary Craft Parlour was honoured as one of the UK’s top 100 most inspiring small businesses for 2025 by Small Business Saturday’s annual SmallBiz100 campaign. This prestigious list celebrates innovative and admired enterprises in the lead-up to the national Small Business Saturday event on December 6.
Marianne reflects on the journey: “What began as a creative outlet during lockdown has blossomed into a global community of book enthusiasts. Being recognised alongside so many brilliant small businesses is truly an honour, and I’m immensely grateful for all the support.”
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The Small Business Saturday campaign will feature Literary Craft Parlour on November 15, spotlighting the shop during its 100-day promotional countdown to the main celebration. Michelle Ovens CBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK, comments, “Small businesses like Literary Craft Parlour are vital to our communities and economy. Recognising their innovation and resilience, especially in challenging times, encourages essential public support.”
Launched by American Express in the US in 2010 and active in the UK for over a decade, Small Business Saturday promotes shopping local and backing independent enterprises nationwide every December. Dan Edelman, general manager for UK merchant services at American Express, adds, “We are proud to support these vibrant and innovative small firms. The SmallBiz100 showcases the vital role small businesses play in enriching local communities.”