Member Article

Applications opening for Small Business Saturday 100

Applications will open on June 1st for any small business owner interested in being part of this year’s Small Business Saturday 100, the companies around the UK that will be at the forefront of this year’s campaign. Now entering its third year Small Business Saturday is already the UK’s most successful small business campaign. Last year 16.5 million adults went out to support a small business on Small Business Saturday with 64% of the UK aware of the campaign. The UK’s small businesses between them provide 60% of private sector jobs and nearly 50% of private sector turnover. Each day for the 100 days leading up to Small Business Saturday on December 5th, one member of the 100 will be profiled across the campaign’s social media feeds and presented to their local, regional and sector-specific media. They will also be invited to take part in Small Business Saturday events throughout the year and, in the last two years, have joined the Small Business Saturday team at special celebratory events hosted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Downing Street. Details of how to apply are available at www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/#small-biz-100 “These businesses could be from any location or any business sector – we just want them to be the best representatives of the UK’s 5 million small businesses, fantastic businesses who will be doing great things to celebrate Small Business Saturday,” explains National Campaign Director Michelle Ovens. To celebrate the opening of applications the team is also hosting a special event at the British Library in London on 1st June. You can attend for free or tune in live online to hear first-hand from past Small Business Saturday 100 businesses on how to apply and why being selected can benefit your business. “The theme for this year is “5 million small businesses, one big day”. Last year, small business owners, local authorities, a wide range of other organisations and members of the public really embraced Small Business Saturday. It succeeded because people recognised the importance of having a vibrant and successful small business sector and not only came out on the day itself but got involved in the run-up to it in their local communities. Our 100 reflect the diversity of the UK’s small business sector,” adds Michelle. As with previous years, events will be planned throughout the UK in the run-up to and on Small Business Saturday itself, including an expanded nationwide bus tour, details of which will be announced later in the year. Small businesses will once again be encouraged to get involved and create special events themselves to mark the day. American Express originally founded the hugely successful ‘Small Business Saturday’ initiative in the U.S. in 2010 and remains the Founding Supporter of the campaign in the UK, as part of its on-going commitment to encourage consumers to shop small. More information on Small Business Saturday, including participating businesses and details on promotions and other incentives to support small businesses can be found on the Small Business Saturday Facebook page (www.facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturdayuk) Twitter page (@SmallBizSatUk) and website (www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com). Ends.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Howard Robinson .