UK Small Business Saturday 'Roadshow' to champion impact of local small businesses

On a tour to celebrate the nation’s vibrant small business community, Small Business Saturday has announced that they are returning to embark on a month-long UK roadshow.

Launching this autumn in Scotland, ‘The Tour’ will be visiting over 20 towns and cities across the country to spotlight some of the UK’s most inspiring local businesses. The nationwide journey will then continue across the rest of the UK throughout November, visiting towns and cities including Belfast, Manchester, Durham, Preston, Carlisle, Derby, Grimsby, Wrexham, Hereford, Newport, Plymouth, Salisbury, Cambridge, and London.

The road show is being backed by BT and aims to recognise the vital role of small businesses in boosting local economies, creating jobs and supporting communities. In the lead up to starting off in Lossiemouth, ‘The Tour’ will showcase business owners, their stories, and the incredible local communities at the heart of the UK’s 5.45 million small businesses, celebrating their critical contribution to the economy.

Planned stops include visiting a range of small businesses, from a cycling adventure firm in Scotland and luxury handmade chocolatier in the North of England, to bakeries in Wales, and a shoe repair business in the South.

“Being part of the Small Business Saturday Tour 2024 was such a fabulous experience! We loved welcoming the team, giving our brand more exposure and meeting so many other inspiring small businesses along the way,” said Carol Jackson, Owner of ELJ Drinks Ltd.

“The Tour is a fabulous celebration of entrepreneurial spirit, culminating in Small Business Saturday and we can’t wait to be part of the magic again in 2025! If the tour is heading your way, don’t miss it. Get involved, show up, and soak up the support, energy and wider community. You’ll love it!”

Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign that celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support businesses in their communities.

Now in its thirteenth year, Small Business Saturday has engaged millions of shoppers and helped generate billions of pounds in spending at small businesses across the UK. This year it is taking place on 6^th December, and is backed by principal support: American Express.

Alongside the show, the campaign will also feature a full month of free online support for small businesses all over the UK – including daily workshops, mentoring sessions, and insight events featuring small business owners and industry experts.

“Small Business Saturday is all about championing the incredible entrepreneurs who bring passion, innovation, and heart to communities across the UK,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK.

“The Tour gives us the opportunity to hit the road and engage directly with the nation’s favourite small businesses, celebrating their unique stories and the essential role they play in strengthening local economies. We’re excited to begin this next chapter and highlight the creativity and resilience that make small businesses the foundation of our communities.”

It is expected that ‘The Tour’ will cover around 3,000 miles using electric vehicles to reduce emissions and showcase the sustainable choices that many businesses are making on the journey toward net zero.

“Small businesses are vital to the UK economy, and providing entrepreneurs with the right support is crucial to their success,” said Chris Sims, Chief Commercial Officer, UK Business, at BT.

“The Tour offers a great platform to engage with small businesses across the country, delivering tailored advice and resources to help them grow and adapt. This is an important initiative that allows businesses to connect for good, strengthening local communities and fostering innovation and resilience across the economy.”

The Small Business Saturday tour will visit the following UK locations: