On Saturday 4 December the UK is celebrating Small Business Saturday - an initiative encouraging everyone in the UK to shop small, both on the day and beyond.
Now in its ninth year, the campaign has grown significantly each year with a record £1.1 billion spent with small businesses on Small Business Saturday in 2020, and 15.4 million people choosing to shop small.
In support of the Day, Richard Fuller, MP for North East Bedfordshire, recorded a video, which can be watched here, and said:
Small Business Saturday on December 4th is a great opportunity for us all to support the small businesses that are the lifeblood of our local communities.
It’s vital that we help small businesses grow and thrive again and the government wants to give the UK’s many businesses the support and skills they need to drive the innovation, growth and job creation we need as we move towards a secure and prosperous future. That is why earlier this year, the Chancellor announced the Help to Grow initiative, with two new business support schemes - Help to Grow: Management and Help to Grow: Digital - to boost productivity and drive growth among the UK’s small and medium sized businesses.
Help to Grow: Management has been running since August, providing businesses with 90% subsidised management and leadership training, and access to alumni networks and one-to-one mentoring.
Businesses can now register their interest ahead of the launch of Help to Grow: Digital. When available, the scheme will give small and medium sized businesses access to free and impartial advice and support online, to help business leaders choose software that will transform their business. It will also offer eligible businesses a discount of up to 50%, worth up to £5,000, towards the purchase of approved software from a range of leading technology suppliers.
Businesses can register their interest for both schemes by visiting www.gov.uk/helptogrow.
