Small Business Saturday UK Roadshow 2024

19/08/2024

Small Business Saturday UK roadshow set to champion nation’s small businesses

Three people stood with blue umbrellas in front of a blue electric car to promote Small Business Saturday's UK roadshow

Small Business Saturday has confirmed plans for its next national roadshow, with small businesses across 21 UK towns and cities set for a moment in the spotlight. Kicking off in Scotland later in the year, The Tour will embark on a month-long journey across the country to celebrate the nation’s most loved independents and tell the story of their invaluable contribution to communities and the wider economy.

Supported by BT, The Tour will visit small businesses all over the country, including Dundee, Glasgow, Belfast, Chester, Newcastle, Darlington, Leeds, Lincoln, Nottingham, Northampton, Swansea, Chippenham, Plymouth, Bournemouth, Brighton, St Albans and London. Marking the official countdown to Small Business Saturday later in the year, the Tour will also showcase the real people, stories and communities behind the UK’s vibrant 5.5 million small businesses.

Visits on The Tour range from a wool farm in Kent and glamping in Lincolnshire, to Whiskey tasting in Scotland and gourmet marshmallows in Northern Ireland.

Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign that celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and to support businesses in their communities.  Taking place this year on 7 December, the campaign is backed by principal supporter American Express. Running for over a decade, Small Business Saturday has engaged millions and seen billions of pounds spent with small businesses across the UK on Small Business Saturday.

Travelling over 3,000 miles, The Tour will once again make use of electric vehicles to reduce emissions and reflect the sustainable switches many small business owners are making as part of their vital role in the race to net zero. Alongside the roadshow, the campaign will also offer a month of dedicated free online support for small businesses in the UK. This includes daily workshops and mentoring covering a wide range of relevant topics, as well as insight sessions with small businesses and industry experts.

Commenting 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 the amazing contribution they make to local communities all across the UK. Small businesses sit at the heart of communities, forming the cornerstone of local economies. This is why we are visiting these communities in person with The Tour. We are really excited about this next phase and the chance to shine an important light on fabulous small businesses all across the UK, bringing to life their brilliant and unique stories and impact.”

“Given the massive role that small businesses can play in helping to boost the UK economy, it’s important that we give Britain’s entrepreneurs all the support they need to succeed,” adds Chris Sims, BT’s MD for Small and Medium Enterprise. “The Tour is a brilliant way for small businesses across the country to get tailored support around growing their capability for the future. We are delighted to be supporting this effort once again through our Skills for Tomorrow offering, which has helped over one million entrepreneurs grow their small businesses with free digital skills training.”