12/08/2026
🦆 Ten years of the Ugly Duckling 🦆
10 YEARS. TEN. YEARS.
Somehow, against all reasonable odds, questionable decisions and several changes of government, The Ugly Duckling has made it to its tenth birthday. 😂
Ten years of Brexit.
Covid.
Trade Wars.
Economic uncertainty.
Market pressures.
More Prime Ministers than any business really needs.
And enough ups, downs and “what on earth are we doing?” moments to fill a book.
And yet… here we are.
We’ve always been a bit of an Ugly Duckling — going against the grain, doing things our own way and occasionally wondering whether the wider industry knew something we didn’t. 😜
But somewhere along the way, we won a rosette. 🏵️
Which was rather lovely. And perhaps proved that being a little different isn’t always such a bad thing.
But the thing we’re proudest of isn’t a rosette, or surviving ten increasingly bonkers years in business.
It’s the people.
This place has seen parties, celebrations, weddings, funerals, tears, laughter, friendships, arguments, reunions… and even babies born to staff who met here. ❤️
People have come through the doors as colleagues and left as friends. Some have stayed for years, some for a season, but all have left their mark on the place.
And, truthfully, we don’t know exactly what the next chapter looks like. We don’t even know how much longer The Ugly Duckling will be here, or in what capacity.
So rather than worry about tomorrow, we thought we’d celebrate today.
Ten years deserves a proper party. 🥂
So on Saturday 29th August, we’re throwing open the doors and raising a glass to everyone who has been part of our rather improbable little story.
Family, friends, customers — old and new — we’d absolutely love to see you.
Come and celebrate the good times, remember the not-so-good ones, and help us raise a glass to ten years of being the Ugly Duckling.
Because after everything the last decade has thrown at us…
we’re still quacking. 🦆❤️
Thank you. Truly. Here’s to the next chapter — whatever, wherever and however it may be. 🥂
StillQuacking
