Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday is a national initiative which encourages people to support local, independent businesses in their town, both on the day and in the future.

The campaign originated in the USA in 2010 and has been a great success. Small businesses have reported increased footfall and takings not just on the day but thereafter.

The initiative was introduced in the UK in 2013 and received a very positive response from both businesses and customers over the last few years.

Last year, an estimated £748 million was spent on the day and it was great to see the Prime Minister, the Mayor of London; fashion designer Alexa Chung and actress Billie Piper all publicly supporting the campaign.

Over 115,000 tweets were sent on the day itself reaching more than 115 million people, with #SmallBizSatUK trending at number one in the UK.

Backing from local authorities was up from 80% in 2016 to 87% this year, with active support for the campaign including small business events and free parking on the day, meaning wherever you were in the UK, Small Business Saturday was happening nearby.

Each year the Bishop Auckland Town Team support Small Business Saturday as a celebration of the small, independent shops and services available in the town.

The town team help to raise the profile of all the fantastic small businesses we have right here on our doorstep.  As an encouragement for local people to shop locally, local businesses are being asked to offer a special deal or discount on the day.

Bishop Auckland small businesses

If you are a small independent business and would like to be included in this event, simply send us your special offer which you will be offering on the day. Whether it’s 10% Off or Buy One Get One Free….. it’s up to you.

The Bishop Auckland Town Team will advertise this event with a full page advert in the Bishop Press on Saturday 17th November. (So we need to know by no later than 5pm on Monday 10th November to be included in this)

If you would like to be included, email us at info@bishopaucklandtownteam.org or complete the details on the ‘Contact us‘ page.

For the full list of participating businesses and shops in Bishop Auckland, visit the Small Business Saturday page.