MediaCityUK to host launch of this year’s Small Business Saturday tour

The North West will once again host the launch of this year’s Small Business Saturday campaign.

Last year the launch took place in Blackburn, before moving on to Birkenhead.

This Friday, November 1, the launch will take place at Salford’s MediaCityUK, on the build-up to Small Business Saturday in December.

The Small Business Saturday bus will park up in front of MediaCityUK’s iconic dock10 studios for a special event that will involve local business and community leaders.

Small Business Saturday director, Michelle Ovens, will meet with participants between 9-11am, during networking and other activities, while the bus will feature a special ‘Blue Sofa’ interview series, where small businesses, entrepreneurs and leading local figures will share stories about their small business or their local area to a Facebook live audience.

A grassroots, not-for-profit campaign, Small Business Saturday was originally founded by American Express in the US in 2010.

It is now in its seventh year in the UK, with the aim of supporting and promoting the UK’s 5.8 million small businesses.

American Express remains the principal supporter of the campaign in the UK, as part of its ongoing commitment to encourage consumers to shop small.

Following the MediaCityUK event, the campaign will begin its annual bus tour on Monday, November 4, in Blackpool before travelling across Britain, visiting almost 30 locations in 30 days ahead of Small Business Saturday on December 7.

Michelle Ovens said: “We are excited for the Small Business Saturday bus to visit MediaCityUK, an inspiring story of how areas can be regenerated with the right planning and a community mindset.

“It is an area that was built for UK media but has thrived thanks to its impressive small businesses, from restaurants and bars to tech start-ups and production companies, that have given a new lease of life to Salford Quays.

“Small Business Saturday is a campaign that celebrates our small business heroes – a day to celebrate the work they do in their communities, and we have seen the long-term results with record numbers spent on Small Business Saturday each year.

“But this is not just a campaign for one day, we want it to inspire more people to support their local independents on a regular basis.

“This special event is another way we are able to recognise the contribution small businesses make in towns across the country.”

Josie Cahill, MediaCityUK’s head of stakeholder engagement, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the Small Business Saturday bus to MediaCityUK.

“It’s a fantastic campaign that we would encourage all local businesses to get involved with. MediaCityUK is passionate about supporting small firms and we already work with and support many small businesses here, and in the wider Salford area.

“This is a great opportunity to put small businesses in the spotlight. They are already doing amazing things for our community and deserve greater recognition for their role in the area’s transformation.”

Small Business Saturday last year saw an estimated £812m spent on the day with small businesses across the UK.

The #SmallBizSatUK trended in the UK top 5 on Twitter on the day, reaching more than 100 million people globally.

The Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Mayor of London were among those publicly supporting the campaign, alongside more than 90% of local councils.

Small Business Saturday also benefits from the backing of leading business organisations including the Federation of Small Businesses, Indeed and Dell. The campaign is also supported by Amazon, printed.com, Square and Xero.