The Prime Minister has thrown his weight behind the UK’s first Small Business Saturday - tp be held on December 7.
David Cameron signed up to the campaign during the Conservative Party Conference pledging his support for the event, which will highlight small business success and encourage consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy,” he said, “so I was delighted to sign the Small Business Saturday UK wall along with our new Small Business Ambassador Karren Brady and our Skills Minister Matthew Hancock.”
The campaign follows the model introduced in the United States in 2010 and which has taken place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving every year since. Last year in the US $5.5 billion was spent at small businesses on Small Business Saturday itself.
Small Business Saturday UK initiative has already attracted the support of leading business organisations including the Association of City and Town Management, Federation of Small Businesses, Association of Convenience Stores, Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association and Ingenious Britain, as well as corporates like American Express, O2, Aldermore Bank, Make It Cheaper and prominent entrepreneur James Caan. There has also been enthusiastic support from local authorities, which are critical in bringing local community activities to life as well as positive feedback from across the political spectrum
Events will be planned throughout the UK in the run-up to and on Small Business Saturday UK, including a nationwide bus tour, and small businesses will be encouraged to get involved and create special events themselves to mark the day.
No comments yet