Dress shop named among most inspiring businesses

Hannah Teale opened Diffuse Retail in Warwick in 2023

A clothing shop that rents out dresses has been named one of the most inspiring small businesses in the UK.

Diffuse Retail on Smith Street, in Warwick, offers women the choice to rent or buy pre-owned dresses and occasion wear.

Owner Hannah Teale said the idea for the business came from her previous career working in market research, during which she spoke to thousands of women about their shopping habits.

Diffuse was chosen for this year's SmallBiz100 line-up, which showcases the "most innovative and admired" small businesses across the UK.

"I applied on a bit of a whim, I didn't even expect to hear back never mind make the top 100, so I couldn't believe it, it's been a really proud moment," said Ms Teale.

The business was recognised on this year's SmallBiz100 line-up

She said she wanted the store, which was founded on the principles of circular fashion, to feel "as much like a normal shopping experience as possible" and to "really empower women with choice".

The mother-of-two, who founded the business in 2023, said lots of women tended to wear dresses "once, maybe twice" when it came to special occasions, with the store offering options to rent dresses for a fraction of the price.

"Once we've gone to a wedding and we've worn a gorgeous dress and everyone's seen it, we don't feel that we can necessarily wear that lots of times," Ms Teale explained.

"So what I wanted to do was to really bring the power of choice to women on the high street."

Ms Teale said the past 18 months had been a "whirlwind" but praised the support from her family.

"The fashion industry is so bad on the planet that you've got to think about what we're leaving behind for our kids and so they're a big part of the motivator," she added.