This year will see the Small Business Saturday campaign mark its 10th anniversary with a celebratory roadshow. Business owners across the country are being encouraged to sign up to get involved, as the campaign gears up to shine a spotlight on small firms across the UK. As well as visiting over 20 towns and cities this autumn, there will also be a digital programme of support and mentoring.
Supported by BT, ‘The Tour’ will kick off in Glasgow. It will then visit small businesses in locations including Fife, York, Cardiff and Padstow throughout November, before finishing in London in the run-up to Small Business Saturday on 3 December.
Alongside the physical roadshow, the campaign will also offer a daily schedule of online content.
This includes free workshops and mentoring covering a range of relevant topics, as well as interviews with small businesses and experts. Commenting on this year’s campaign is Michelle Ovens CBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK.
“Small Business Saturday has always been about supporting and celebrating the UK’s fantastic entrepreneurs, and never has this been more important as they face a barrage of challenges this winter. We can’t wait to get back on the road with The Tour to spotlight these brilliant and unique small businesses, whilst also offering them vital support in-person and online.”
With sustainability and energy saving high on the agenda for small firms, The Tour will once again feature a fleet of electric and zero emissions vehicles.
Also commenting is Chris Sims, BT’s managing director for its SoHo (Single/Small office, Home office) unit. “Once again small businesses are facing another challenging year and having to think strategically to succeed.
“Earlier this year BT launched a new customer Charter with a commitment to step up free digital skills training for small businesses. Working with partners such as Small Business Saturday on initiatives like The Tour is an important route to deliver this. It’s a brilliant way for small businesses across the country to gain support in digital skills and grow their capability for the future. We’re delighted to be supporting The Tour again this year.”
Tour Dates
The Small Business Saturday tour will visit the following UK locations:
- Monday 31 October – Glasgow
- Tuesday 1 November – Fife
- Wednesday 2 November – Edinburgh
- Thursday 3 November – Belfast
- Friday 4 November – Wirral
- Monday 7 November – Manchester
- Tuesday 8 November – Helmsley
- Wednesday 9 November – York
- Thursday 10 November – Grimsby
- Friday 11 November – Derby
- Monday 15 November – Cambridge
- Tuesday 16 November – Birmingham
- Wednesday 17 November – Hereford
- Thursday 18 November – Merthyr Tydfil
- Friday 19 November – Cardiff
- Monday 22 November – Padstow
- Tuesday 23 November – Exeter
- Wednesday 24 November – Southampton
- Thursday 25 November – Brighton
- Friday 26 November – Leighton Buzzard
- Monday 29 November – Walthamstow
- Tuesday 30 November – Aldgate
- Wednesday 1 December – Brixton
Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign that celebrates small business success. It also encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and to support businesses in their communities. Launched in 2013, the day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, but with an impact that lasts all year round. This year Small Business Saturday takes place on 3 December 2022.
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