A luxurious holiday home set in the Forest of Dean countryside has been recognised as one of the UK's 'most innovative and admired' small businesses, earning a place in 2025's SmallBizz100 list.
Nuthatch Retreat, a contemporary holiday home and 'micro-retreat' venue near Blakeney, is the only Gloucestershire business included in the 2025 list from national initiative Small Business Saturday, which celebrates the success of small businesses across the UK each year.
Founders Nemia and Rod Maclachlan say they're 'absolutely thrilled' to have been selected alongside so many 'wonderful' firms from across the country, in what is only their third year in business.
The pair describe their single-story lodge as a 'tranquil' escape that feels both 'homely and indulgent', with key features including large windows offering expansive views of the surrounding countryside, 'beautifully planted' gardens, a deep soak outdoor bath and stylish interiors.
Launched in 2023, Nemia decided to throw herself into the business full-time after being made redundant in March 2025, with the couple in the process of expanding their retreat day offering and further investing in carbon reduction initiatives.
They said: 'We’ve tried to create a space that’s about (re)connection — to the land, to the ancient woodland here in the Forest of Dean, to the people and fellow businesses around us and what they produce and, crucially, to one another.'
Running in the UK for over a decade, the Small Business Saturday campaign encourages the public to support and spend with small firms across the UK, with its SmallBizz 100 highlighting the nation's best in the lead up to the day itself, which this year falls on Saturday 6 September 2025.
Nemia and Rod added: 'We’re looking forward to collaborating with other businesses throughout the campaign and celebrating how brilliant the SmallBiz of the region are!'
