The weather! – what a gloriously British thing to talk about.
The very unpredictability of our weather makes it hard for us as individuals to plan from week-to-week or even from day-to-day and, often, close localities experience widely different conditions at the same time. The Easter bank holiday did not disappoint, with glorious sunshine in the South East sitting alongside weather warnings covering other parts of the country.
The same goes for smaller businesses, which need to be agile in adapting to unexpected ups and downs in demand brought about by changes in conditions. This year’s warmer than average March is credited for increased retail spending. England enjoyed its sunniest ever March since records began in 1910 and the spring sunshine came with an increase in sales of gardening, DIY, food, and health and beauty products. There is even hope for a sunny Summer, which many businesses will be taking into account as they enter one of their busiest periods.
Retail, tourism and hospitality industries are well positioned to benefit from increased consumer spending during warmer weather. Spending across these sectors can be especially seasonal and Spring and Summer can be a great time for smaller businesses to capitalise on the bump in consumer spending brought on by people wanting to make the most of their bank holidays. The Barclays Consumer Spending Index in September recorded its largest uplift in spending since March 2024, owing the uplift to the rise in temperature seen in the UK late last summer[i].
Shop local in future bank holidays
A recent Amex shopper spending report for 2025 highlighted consumers’ preference to support small, local, independent businesses[ii]. This is driven by a desire to boost their local high street (53%), have a more personalised shopping experience (50%) and support their local economy (43%), shoppers this summer are set to support local businesses. With Easter and early May bank holidays in the rearview mirror, and more coming between now and the end of August, smaller businesses have even more opportunity to take advantages of the ongoing shift of consumers choosing to shop small and local.
Father and son business owners Richard and Matthew have experienced first-hand the increased demand for local produce as they expand their micro-brewery operations, using a Start Up Loan, to include bottling so customers can enjoy their Tavistock Brewery ales at home.
“We both have always loved brewing, and it started as a hobby really. We now brew three ales for restaurants and pubs across Devon. The better weather and bank holidays mean more people are out and enjoying a drink in their local pubs, which boosts sales for us. Where people have enjoyed a locally brewed beer so much, we have launched our bottled beers, so customers can also enjoy their Tavistock Ales from the comfort of their own garden too.”
The Amex shopper spending report also found that Brits are looking to spend more of their cash on experiences in 2025, with Gen-Z and Millennials leading this trend. With more time off and better weather on the horizon, small businesses offering experiences are looking to
capitalise this summer. One such founder is Start Up Loans recipient Andre Shoman, founder of Boon Boat – a solar powered boat offering an extraordinary culinary experience:
“We are located near Weymouth and get around 1,900 hours of sunshine a year. This powers our solar powered, electric boat which offers customers a luxury BBQ dining excursion on the sea. As consumers become more conscious of the economic and environmental impact of international travel Boon Boat offers a unique experience, right here in the UK. We launched last summer, and this summer will be even busier for us. By nature, it is a very seasonal business, so we are really looking to make the most of the hopefully good weather this year.”
As smaller businesses battle with a tricky macroeconomic climate, it is more meaningful than ever to support your local high street and think small as you spend over the next few months.
Start Up Loans is here to support smaller businesses across the UK, whether it’s supporting a first-time entrepreneur who is ready to embark on their business journey, or helping an existing early-stage business looking to expand or diversify their operations. All loans to entrepreneurs come with post loan support including mentoring. We hope the upcoming bank holidays are warm, sunny days but even if not, we suggest people get out there and support their local businesses. Ice cream on a pier in the rain anyone?
[i] Card spending returns to growth in August as the summer heatwave and ‘Sweet Treat Economy’ lift spirits | Barclays
[ii] https://retailtimes.co.uk/amex-research-2025-shopper-trends-include-prioritising-experiences-savvy-spending-and-small-business-support/#:~:text=small%20business%20support-,Amex%20research%3A%202025%20shopper%20trends%20include%20prioritising%20experiences%2C%20savvy,spending%20and%20small%20business%20support&text=New%20research%20from%20American%20Express,spend%20in%20the%20year%20ahead.
