August 2007

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Creative business names - Three quarters of Brits judge a shop by its name

MORE TH>N BUSINESS reveals the UK’s most creative small business names

It’s official. As far as businesses are concerned it seems we do ‘judge a book by its cover’. 75 per cent of us admit to being influenced by a catchy business name, according to research published today by small business insurer, MORE TH>N BUSINESS.
The study1 revealed the key role an effective name can play in a new business’s success, particularly when it comes to attracting customers. Over half of us (58 per cent) would notice and remember a business with a creative, clever or humorous name, while one in four would go a step further and take a closer look at the company’s products or services. Business names were most important to the younger generation, with three-quarters of 18-24 year olds stating they would notice and remember a shop with a humorous name.
MORE TH>N BUSINESS conducted the research as part of the ‘What’s in a Name’ campaign designed to celebrate British businesses with the most inventive and original names. People were invited to nominate businesses in their local area by visiting www.whatsinaname.uk.com. Ten winners were chosen by an independent judge, with each being offered a year’s free MORE TH>N BUSINESS insurance2.
The businesses with the most creative names in Britain are:
1. Aisle Alter Hymn (The UK’s First Wedding Shop for gay, lesbian and heterosexual couples in South Shields, Tyne & Wear)
2. Battersea Cods Home (Fish and Chip Shop in Sheffield, South Yorkshire)
3. Mad Hakkers (Hairdressers in Leven, Fife)
4. Mr Bit (Window Cleaners in Derby & Coventry, West Midlands)
5. Only foods and sauces (Takeaway in Walsall, West Midlands)
6. Spruce Springclean (Window Cleaners in West Byfleet, Surrey)
7. Tree Wise Men (Tree surgeons in Wallington, Surrey)
8. Vinyl Resting Place (Second Hand Records Shop in Croydon, Surrey)
9. Walter Wall (Carpet Sales in Exeter, Devon)
10. Plaice Station (Fish and Chip shop in Manchester)
Mike Bowman, head of insurance at MORE TH>N BUSINESS, said: “High street shops across Britain have built a tradition for creative, catchy names, so the number and quality of entries we received was no surprise. Our judge had an unenviable task in choosing the ten winners and we are delighted to be able to give them the credit and recognition they deserve.
“Our research confirms what the UK’s most creative business owners already knew – that the right business name can offer a real advantage in the battle for customers. With over 400,0003 new start-ups each year, it is becoming increasingly difficult for business owners to settle on a catchy yet original name, but the research shows that it’s definitely worth putting in the time and effort to get the right name.”

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