When I think of Birmingham, I always think of it as a mini London. It is after all the second biggest city in the UK.
But, little do you know that some of the largest businesses to date began in the city of the bull.
So let’s jump right in, and explore 5 businesses that began in Birmingham and continue to boom in 2023.
Table of Contents
1. Cadbury’s
Now I’ve got your attention, Cadbury’s began in 1831 when John Cadbury opened the first manufacturing warehouse in Birmingham. Since then, Britain has become the envy of the world by having Cadbury’s chocolate readily available on our shelves.
By 1905, John Cadbury released the first Dairy Milk bar and by 1921, the logo made its way into history.
In 2023, Cadbury continues to be Britain’s favourite chocolate brand and just writing about it is making my mouth water. You can buy Cadbury’s chocolate in every supermarket, and you can even visit Cadbury’s world in Bourneville for the full, chocolatey experience.
2. Gymshark
On the contrary, very much so, Gymshark too was born in Birmingham. The now beloved fitness brand started in 2012 and was created by Ben Francis at just 19 years old.
The brand is now one of the fastest growing on the market and is worth £300-£400 million.
You will always see fitness influencers and TikTokers alike wearing the famous Gymshark leggings to do their daily workout.
3. Typhoo Tea
Is it true that you only get an ooo with Typhoo? Not for me, I am a Yorkshire tea girl till I die. However, I can say that Typhoo Tea was started in Birmingham in the 1990s. Interestingly, Typhoo was actually the first brand to introduce the market to green tea.
In 2023, they are still one of the largest tea brand on the market and can be found in every supermarket.
4. Trucks Direct
Started in 2007, Trucks Direct is now the biggest UK supplier of forklifts and pallet trucks. The business began with the selling and refurbishment of a single truck and has now expanded to a much larger scale operation.
They sell new, used and rental forklift trucks and pallet trucks.
5. Lloyds Bank
Lloyds Banking Group was founded in 1765 by John Taylor and Sampson Lloyd. The Bank actually operated from one office in the city for a century. However, now they are still one of the biggest banks in the UK with over 1000 branches across the country.