Small business owners from the length and breadth of the UK recently visited Downing Street to mark Small Business Saturday, which was held on Saturday, December 2nd. One of those that attended was Dumfries Small Business owner Julie Hollis, who owns Cloud 9 Studio Gallery in the town.
Julie told DGWGO ” I was both proud and honoured to have been invited to 10 Downing Street for the Small Business Saturday reception, not only representing the town of Dumfries, but also Dumfries and Galloway. Having taken part in Small Business Saturday from its early days, I value the contribution it makes in highlighting the diverse and valuable role small businesses like mine play – especially in the local economy. The campaign encourages people to ‘Shop Local’ and support small businesses in their communities, both on Small Business Saturday beyond.”
Celebrating its fifth anniversary, Small Business Saturday is the nationwide campaign to support, inspire and promote the UK’s 5.7 million small businesses. This year it has again selected 100 small businesses for the Small Biz 100, many of which will be attending the reception at Downing Street this afternoon.
Small Business Saturday receives widespread support from local authorities across the country, from business and from government. At today’s Downing Street reception, small business owners will be welcomed by Stephen Barclay MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Baroness Fairhead CBE, Minister of State at the Department for International Trade, Claire Perry MP, Minister of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Caroline Nokes MP, Minister for Government Resilience and Efficiency.
Michelle Ovens MBE, Director, Small Business Saturday, said: “Small Business Saturday shines a spotlight on our local businesses to show how vitally important they are to individual communities and the UK as a whole. We are encouraging everyone to support the small businesses near them this Saturday, by shopping local, and also giving them their backing into 2018 and beyond.”
Stephen Barclay MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said:
“It’s great to welcome so many business owners to Number 10 today to show our appreciation for the crucial contribution they make to Britain. Small businesses are vital to a thriving and competitive economy that is fit for the future, so it’s great to see that the number of small businesses in the UK has been growing in recent years. We hope the country will join us in championing the UK’s small businesses, and support them this Saturday.”
The UK’s small businesses made £717 million on Small Business Saturday in 2016, which was a 15 per cent rise on the previous year according to research by principal supporter, American Express.
