Member Article

Applications open for ‘Small Biz 100’ 2016

Applications have opened for small business owners interested in being part of this year’s Small Biz 100, the companies around the UK that will be at the forefront of this year’s Small Business Saturday campaign.

Each day for the 100 days leading up to Small Business Saturday on December 3rd, one member of the 100 will be profiled across the campaign’s social media feeds and presented to their local, regional, national and sector-specific media. They will also be invited to take part in Small Business Saturday events throughout the year.

Now in its fourth year, Small Business Saturday is already the UK’s most successful small business campaign. Last year an estimated £623 million was spent with small businesses across the UK on Small Business Saturday itself – up £119 million on the previous year and an increase in spending of 24%. The UK’s small businesses between them provide 60% of private sector jobs and nearly 50% of private sector turnover.

“These businesses will be from any location or any business sector – we want them to represent the UK’s 5.4 million small businesses – really fantastic businesses who will be doing great things to celebrate Small Business Saturday,” explains National Campaign Director Michelle Ovens.

“The theme for this year is “Small Business, Big Difference” – and we really do believe that small businesses do make a big difference. 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 will be a critical part of that run-up this year,” adds Michelle.

Details of how to apply for the Small Biz 100 are available on the website www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com. Applications close on June 30th.

As with previous years, events will be planned throughout the UK in the run-up to and on Small Business Saturday itself, including an extensive 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.

Small Business Saturday, which is a grassroots, not-for-profit campaign also benefits from the backing of leading business organisations including the Federation of Small Businesses, Enterprise Nation and Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association.

American Express originally founded the ‘Small Business Saturday’ initiative in the US in 2010 and continues to support the campaign in the UK, as part of its on-going commitment to encourage consumers to shop small. The campaign is also supported by PRS For Music, TalkTalk Business and Vistaprint.

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 Twitter page and website.

Ends.

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