A selection of small businesses from across the UK have been named the Nation’s Favourite Businesses, as Small Business Saturday kicks off its annual campaign to celebrate and support the UK’s 5.7 million small businesses.
Following a nationwide search, this year’s line-up includes the UK’s first botanical spirits range, Grounds for Good in South Wales; Scotland’s outdoor adventure experience, Wild Cairns; a floating community space, Breastfeeding Boat located in Limehouse Basin, Central London; and Fish City, an independent seafood restaurant in Belfast, demonstrating the diverse range of innovative small businesses that support our local communities and high streets.
The Nation’s Favourite Businesses campaign will showcase businesses from the list as part of the official countdown to Small Business Saturday on 5 December- a grassroots non-commercial campaign of which American Express is founder and remains principal supporter in the UK - aimed at celebrating and uplifting independent firms by encouraging the public to go and support their local small businesses.
As part of the initiative, Small Business Saturday will award two eligible businesses featured on the list grants of £10,000 each, funded by American Express, to support their future growth. The grants can be utilised in a range of ways – from upgrading essential equipment, to boosting marketing efforts, or investment in customer experience.
Introduced last year, The Nation’s Favourite Businesses builds on the campaign’s long-standing SmallBiz100, a celebration of Britain’s most inspiring entrepreneurs.
“Small businesses have always been, and will continue to be, among the nation’s favourite businesses. Whether on our high streets, online or embedded in local communities, they play a vital role in the places we live and in the strength of our economy, said Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK.
“This year’s Nation Favourite Businesses are a true representation of the UK’s most-loved small businesses. From independent, family run cafés and local restaurants, to makers, services, and traders, they showcase the incredible diversity of the UK’s small business community. We know how important small businesses are and the challenges they face, so as we kick off this year’s Small Business Saturday campaign, we’re urging the public to get behind them during the most critical trading quarter of the year.”
Last year, the campaign saw extensive media coverage, as well as public support from the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and Chancellor, leader of the opposition, The Mayor of London, and over 90 per cent of the nation’s local councils.
To learn more Small Business Saturday’s Nation’s Favourite Businesses, visit: https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/nations-favourite-businesses