Five retail, hospitality and leisure businesses putting Blackpool on the map

Small Business Saturday UK is a brilliant campaign celebrating small businesses and encouraging everyone to 'shop local' to support businesses in their communities. 

Small businesses make up 99% of all UK businesses and account for over half of business turnover and employment — from your local pub and coffee shop to hardware stores and corner shops. 

These businesses are vital to creating jobs and driving economic growth. The annual Small Business Saturday campaign has made a huge difference by encouraging people to 'shop local' in the businesses' supply in their communities. 

Small businesses are at the heart of our communities, and this campaign is vital to encouraging support for our much-loved independent local businesses –public support can make a huge difference to these businesses. 

Here I highlight five of my favourite Blackpool small businesses in retail, hospitality and leisure. I want to hear about yours too. This small business Saturday tag me on socials at your favourite Blackpool small business.

Aunty Social

Blackpool arts organisation Aunty Social has been selected as part of this year's #SmallBiz100 line-up, which showcases 100 of the most impressive independent businesses across the country.

Founded in 2011 with the goal of connecting through creativity, Aunty Social has been a multi-faceted organisation for over 10 years. It hosts workshops encouraging people to learn new skills, develop creativity, and connect with others. 

In 2022, Aunty Social opened their hub and retail space on Topping Street, which soon became a home to many local artists’ and creators’ work — with a wide variety of prints, homeware, greetings cards, books, jewellery, badges, textiles, ceramics and dog treats/accessories, from over 60 North West-based artists and makers. 

Local artists represented include: Coxy Art, Emily Peet, Alex Johnston, Odie's Pottery, Grumpy Girl Graphics, Sandy Floss and Joseph Travis. 

 Sé Anār

Owners of  Sé Anār, Renuka and her husband, Colin, transformed a former retail space on Highfield Road into a vibrant Asian fusion restaurant – a shining example of small businesses breathing life into our high streets. 

They offer a menu full of Indian flavours, drawing inspiration from Renuka’s childhood in Calcutta combined with Western methods learnt in England.

This year, they earned a spot in the Good Food Guide Top 100 — well-deserved recognition.

When I visited earlier this year, my wife Portia and I were blown away. From the attention to detail, exceptional service and cosy atmosphere. Portia was very happy with the wide range of vegetarian options too! 

Cask and Tap

After opening their doors on Topping Street in 2020, ale house and bar, Cask and Tap, quickly established itself as one of Blackpool’s top independent bars — with CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) featuring it in the Good Beer Guide. 

The micro-pub offers a range of cask beers, craft beers and ciders in a wood-panelled bar, with a Mid Century feel.

It’s the perfect spot for a cold one, tucked away on the outskirts of the town centre. 

Bootleg Social

Bootleg Social, Blackpool’s beloved grassroots music venue, is marking 10 incredible years with 10 gigs throughout December.

I recently mentioned in parliament how businesses like Bootleg greatly contribute to our cultural landscape in Blackpool. 

Bootleg Social has long supported emerging local talent, often giving artists their first platform. Acts like Circus and Fat Man’s Corner, who debuted at Bootleg, are now featured on BBC Introducing. Over the years, they’ve brought big names to town, like The Wombats, Miles Kane, Idles and the Lathums, and next week, welcome The Horrors to Blackpool for the first time — find the full line-up on their social media platforms and website. 

Stefani’s Pizzeria

The family-run Stefani’s Pizzeria — one of the 50 best pizza places in the UK — was also crowned the best Food and Drink Establishment at the North West Family Business Awards this year. 

Owner Nico Stefani’s passion for pizza came from his grandfather, who once owned a pizza takeaway on Blackpool’s seafront. Nico takes traditional techniques and methods from his travels in Naples to make exceptional pizzas – including making the dough in-house and using a secret recipe pizza sauce. 

Stafani’s is one of my go-to spots and I can’t recommend it enough!