Peterborough SME Crowned Small Business of the Decade at UK Awards

A Peterborough beauty and wellbeing business has received one of the highest honours available to a small enterprise after being named Small Business of the Decade at the 2026 Small Awards.

Serenity Loves, founded by entrepreneur Jo Bevilacqua, secured the national accolade in recognition of its sustained growth, innovation and contribution to both customers and the wider community. The award places the Peterborough business among the UK's most successful small enterprises and highlights the increasingly important role that independent businesses play in driving local economic growth.

The achievement marks another milestone for a business that has built its reputation by offering a customer focused approach within the beauty sector. Serenity Loves first gained national recognition at the Small Awards in 2018, when it won both the At Your Service category and the overall Small Business of the Year title. Judges at the time praised the company's creativity, strong growth and commitment to serving its local community.

Founded in Peterborough, the business has developed a loyal customer base through a model designed to make beauty and wellbeing services more accessible for busy parents and families. One of its most distinctive features has been the inclusion of childcare facilities, helping customers access services while balancing family responsibilities. This approach helped the company stand out in a competitive market and contributed to its earlier award success.

Over the years, Serenity Loves has become a recognised name within the city's small business community. The company has regularly featured in initiatives designed to champion independent firms, including the national Small Business Saturday campaign, which celebrates the contribution of local enterprises to communities and the wider economy.

The Small Awards, which celebrate outstanding small businesses from across the UK, introduced the Small Business of the Decade category to recognise organisations that have demonstrated long term excellence and resilience. Winning the award reflects not only commercial success but also a sustained commitment to innovation, customer service and community engagement.

For the SME sector, the recognition serves as a reminder of the impact that small businesses can have when they successfully identify customer needs and build strong relationships within their communities. At a time when many independent firms continue to navigate economic pressures, Serenity Loves' success story demonstrates how innovation and customer focused thinking can help businesses thrive over the long term.

The award is also a significant moment for Peterborough's business community, showcasing the strength of local entrepreneurship on a national stage. As policymakers and industry leaders continue to emphasise the importance of supporting SMEs, stories such as Serenity Loves highlight the value that ambitious small businesses bring to local economies, employment and community life across the UK.