The nationwide search for the UK’s 100 most inspirational small businesses has kicked off as part of plans to celebrate this year’s Small Business Saturday UK. Organisers are calling on small businesses from across the UK to apply to be featured in this year’s SmallBiz100 line-up, which highlights the best of Britain’s vibrant small business community as part of the official 100-day countdown to the annual campaign on 2 December.

Small Business Saturday is the UK’s most successful small business campaign.

Taking place each year on the first weekend in December, it celebrates small businesses and encourages consumers to shop small and support businesses in their communities. The grassroots non-commercial campaign was originally founded by American Express in the US in 2010. The brand remains the principal supporter of Small Business Saturday in the UK.

Commenting is Michelle Ovens CBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK. “Small Business Saturday highlights the UK’s incredible small businesses and celebrates the extraordinary contributions they make to the UK and our local communities. It continues to be a vital campaign, particularly given the ongoing challenges small firms have had.

“We are delighted to be kicking off the next decade of the campaign with this year’s search to find the most fabulous small businesses from across the UK. So, if you run an exciting small firm that brings something special to the world around you, we invite you to share your story with us. Whether you are online or on the high street, based in an office or at home, supporting consumers or other businesses in the supply chain, we encourage you to apply to be part of this year’s line-up.”

On Small Business Saturday, customers across the UK go out and support all types of small businesses.

Participants range from independent shops and restaurants to small service and B2B-based businesses. Many small businesses also take an active role in promoting the day by hosting events and offering promotions. Since the UK campaign started in 2013, over 1,000 small businesses have featured in the campaign’s SmallBiz100.

While Small Business Saturday attracts huge attention on the day itself, it also has an impact that lasts all year. Last year the campaign trended at number one in the UK on Twitter. The Prime Minister, the leader of the opposition and the Mayor of London were among those publicly supporting the campaign. Over 90% of local councils supported the campaign, too.

Commenting is Dan Edelman, general manager of UK Merchant Services at American Express. “Small businesses offer so much to local communities across the UK but continue to face a raft of challenges. That’s why we continue to champion them and the inspiring entrepreneurs running these businesses through our ongoing support of Small Business Saturday, and by incentivising our Cardmembers to spend with them all year round.”

For the chance to be featured in this year’s SmallBiz100, small businesses can submit a video application here throughout June.