Small businesses to be celebrated this weekend

Small Business Saturday, the nationwide campaign celebrating more than 5 million small businesses in the UK, returns this weekend, 2nd December.

Five years since it was launched in this country, interest in the campaign has snowballed, with a 53% rise in people spending with small businesses on the day between 2013 and 2016. Last year’s event resulted in an estimated £717m being spent by consumers with small businesses across the UK.

Small Business Saturday has become one of the most popular annual events for small businesses nationwide, with at least 80% of local authorities and millions of consumers throwing their support behind the campaign every year.

Michelle Ovens MBE, Director, Small Business Saturday UK, said: Michelle Ovens MBE, Director, Small Business Saturday, said: “Small businesses up and down the UK are making invaluable contributions to the nation’s economy, and now account for £1.8 trillion in annual turnover.

"Small Business Saturday has become the biggest celebration of small businesses across the UK. This Saturday will be a huge opportunity for communities to show their support for these businesses that play such a critical role.

“Our research shows over 90% of small businesses believe they have an important role to play in their community - so let's make sure we have their backs this weekend."

Small Business Saturday is a not-for-profit campaign, originally founded in 2010 in the USA by American Express, which remains the principal supporter of the campaign in the UK. The campaign is also backed by leading business organisations including the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Mike Cherry, National Chairman of the FSB, said: "It’s important to support small businesses throughout the year and, particularly as the festive season draws closer, Small Business Saturday is a great way to encourage shoppers to back their local small firms.

"FSB has long supported the initiative and the important work it does to highlight the hard-working small businesses, and we hope even more people get behind the event this year.”

If you’d like more information about Small Business Saturday 2017, visit the Small Business Saturday UK website.

Date published 28 Nov 2017 | Last updated 28 Nov 2017