Portsmouth-based start-up Southsea Bathing Hut has been selected by the organisers of Small Business Saturday as one of the nation’s Top 100 ‘unsung heroes’.

The national campaign highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.

Southsea Bathing Hut was founded in April 2015 and is already enjoying national media coverage for its range of handmade, natural cosmetics and coastal interior goods.

Founder Samantha Worsey said, ‘We started Southsea Bathing Hut to revive Portsmouth’s soap-making heritage. Our plan was always to bring our products, and the reputation of our great waterfront city, to the widest possible audience. It’s exciting to have this opportunity so soon.’

The business trades at markets across Hampshire and West Sussex, and handles national orders via its online shop, www.southseabathinghut.co.uk. Its range of unique natural soaps, bath and shower oils, and botanical steams is stocked in a number of local outlets.

‘Small Business Saturday 2015 is Saturday, December 5th,’ she explained. ‘We will be at Love Southsea Market on Palmerston Road, with our full range for people to explore, including some new and unique things for Christmas. It’s a fitting place to mark the occasion, because Love Southsea was our first ever market and they have been so supportive of us.’