Small Business Saturday tour set to visit cities across UK ahead of annual campaign
The Small Business Saturday Out And About initiative will travel to five locations around the UK, offering support and celebrating small businesses ahead of this year's campaign on December 5th.
Small Business Saturday has unveiled the locations for its Out And About initiative, which will visit towns and cities across the UK to celebrate small businesses and provide free support ahead of this year's campaign.
The tour, which is being delivered in partnership with BT, began in Wrexham last month and will travel to Birmingham, Belfast and Manchester throughout November before concluding in Glasgow in early December.
Organisers said the initiative will provide an opportunity to meet small business owners, share their stories and highlight the role independent firms play in local economies and communities. As part of the partnership, BT will also provide cyber security guidance for small businesses, offering practical advice on tackling emerging threats and improving digital resilience.
According to research by the Small Business Institute, almost half (48%) of UK small businesses would be more likely to strengthen their cyber security if they saw other firms successfully doing so, highlighting the importance of peer learning and shared experiences. Alongside the roadshow, Small Business Saturday will host a series of free daily webinars throughout November covering topics including marketing, finance and exporting.
Michelle Ovens CBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: "The UK is a nation of small businesses, and the Small Business Saturday campaign is all about championing the diverse range of incredible UK founders across the country.
"By partnering with BT through Out And About, we're able to provide free cyber security training and practical advice, while connecting with small businesses across the UK and celebrating their vital role in local communities."
Chris Sims, Chief Commercial Officer, UK Business at BT, said: "The Out and About initiative is an opportunity to meet businesses up and down the country, and celebrate the success of British entrepreneurship. At the same time, we know that small businesses face the same cyber threats as larger organisations, often without the same time or resources – which is why we're also using these sessions to provide, clear practical guidance to help businesses build their cyber confidence and know how to respond if something goes wrong."
Small Business Saturday takes place on December 5 and is supported by American Express. Since launching in the UK in 2013, the campaign has generated billions of pounds of spending with small businesses and encouraged millions of consumers to shop locally.