Supported by BT, ‘The Tour’ will kick off in Inverness on 30 October 2023, before travelling all over the country for a month to visit and shine a light on the contribution of the UK’s vibrant small business economy, showcasing everything from pom-pom making and pulling pints, to pedicures and Pilates classes.

Destinations will include Fife, Glasgow, Belfast, Chester, Newcastle, Rydeale, York, Manchester, Wrexham, Peterborough, Birmingham, Hereford, Cardiff, Falmouth, Exeter, Bournemouth, Brighton, and Whitstable, before ‘The Tour’ finishes in London ahead of Small Business Saturday on 2 December. 

Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local' and to support businesses in their communities. The campaign is now in its second decade in the UK, backed by principal supporter American Express.

Alongside the roadshow, the campaign will also offer small businesses everywhere in the UK a month of dedicated free online support, with daily workshops and mentoring covering a wide range of relevant topics, as well as insight sessions with small businesses and industry experts. 

“The UK’s fantastic entrepreneurs work tirelessly to make an incredible contribution to the economy, but continue to face a really tough time,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, and director of Small Business Saturday UK.

“It is more important than ever that we support and recognise their efforts. ‘The Tour’ will showcase these exceptional and innovative small businesses, and the amazing contribution they make to local areas, whilst also offering them vital support both in-person and online.”

With sustainability and energy saving high on the agenda for small firms, ‘The Tour’ will make use of electric vehicles to reduce emissions and reflect the sustainable switches many small business owners are making as part of their vital role in the race to net zero. This will include touring with a state-of-the-art eco-friendly electric bike – the Electro Ride X – from innovative London electric motorbike company, Stirling Eco. 

“During this tough economic situation, it’s important that we give Britain’s entrepreneurs all the support they need to succeed. The Tour is a brilliant way for small businesses across the country to get tailored support around growing their capability for the future,” said Chris Sims, BT’s Managing Director for Small and Medium Enterprise.

“We are delighted to be supporting this effort once again, through our Skills for Tomorrow offering, which has helped over one million entrepreneurs grow their small businesses with free digital skills training.”

For more information on Small Business Saturday and to get involved in The Tour visit - https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/the-tour

Tour Dates

The Small Business Saturday tour will visit the following UK locations:

• Monday 30th October                       Inverness
• Tuesday 31st October                      Fife
• Wednesday 1st November               Glasgow
• Thursday 2nd November                  Belfast
• Friday  3rd November                      Chester

• Monday 6th November                     Newcastle
• Tuesday 7th November                    Ryedale
• Wednesday 8th November               York
• Thursday 9th November                   Manchester
• Friday 10th November                      Wrexham 

• Monday 13th November                  Peterborough
• Tuesday 14th November                 Birmingham/ Knowle
• Wednesday 15th November            Hereford 
• Thursday 16th November                Cardiff
• Friday 17th November                     Bristol/Bath 

• Monday 20th November                   Falmouth 
• Tuesday 21st November                  Exeter 
• Wednesday 22nd November            Bournemouth
• Thursday 23rd November                Brighton 
• Friday 24th November                      Whitstable  

• Monday 27th November                  Aldgate
• Tuesday 28th November                 Islington 
• Wednesday 29th November            London - Richmond Park