Member Article

North East's entrepreneurs in spotlight of Small Business Saturday Tour

A national roadshow to support small businesses is shining a spotlight on entrepreneurs across the North East as it pays a visit to the region this week, with local firms being encouraged to sign up and get involved.

‘The Tour’ is visiting independent businesses, leaders, and experts from across the region’s small business communities. This includes Jam Jar Cinema in Whitley Bay, outward-bound business Rugged Outdoors near Helmsley, Northallerton’s popular café 1Twenty7 and local independent guide ‘Made in Grimsby’ .

Interviews will these entrepreneurs and more will be streamed via Small Business Saturday’s social media channels to offer other small firms advice and encouragement.

This is all part of a month-long, jam-packed online programme of free training and skills support that is open to businesses across the UK each day during November, including virtual workshops, webinars, and mentoring, on a range of small business topics. A daily ‘Happy Hour’ will also take place live on the campaign’s Instagram page with prizes from local businesses.

Hot off the heels of its launch at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, The Tour has a strong focus on sustainability, to highlight the critical role of small businesses in helping the UK achieve its goal of becoming net zero by 2050.

It features a fleet of zero emissions vehicles - including an electric van, car, and scooter, as well as a ‘delivery style’ push bike – to reflect the sustainable switches many small businesses are making or considering.

“We are so excited to get back on the road and put the spotlight on fantastic small businesses in the North East and across the country, as well as opening up skills and networking opportunities to millions of entrepreneurs online”, said Michelle Ovens, CBE, director of Small Business Saturday.

“I would encourage all small businesses across the region to get involved, whether it is in person or digitally”.

Once again supported by BT Skills for Tomorrow, The Tour is visiting over 20 towns and cities across the UK during November, as part of the official count down to Small Business Saturday on 4 December.

Chris Sims, BT’s managing director for its SoHo (Single/Small office, Home office) unit, said: “Despite the hugely tough period small businesses have endured across the UK, we have seen many businesses embrace new ways of working and a shift towards digital. The Tour is a fantastic initiative to reach out and support small businesses with the digital skills they need as they look to scale up in key areas such as digital marketing and sustainability, and we are delighted to be supporting it again this year.”

Now in its ninth year in the UK, Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and to support businesses in their communities.

Last year Small Business Saturday achieved record-breaking success and saw an estimated £1.1 billion spent with small businesses across the UK on the day, according to research from American Express, the campaign’s founder and principal supporter in the UK.

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