Set up to encourage people to buy local, support small business and boost the economy Small Business Saturday is a firm fixture in the small business diary.
Originally set up in the US with American Express the former Business Secretary Chuka Umunna started a grassroots campaign to bring SBS to the US and the first event was held in 2012.
Now in it’s fourth year Small Business Saturday brings in around half a billion a year in extra income for UK’s small businesses Umunna claims that it nearly didn’t happen.
Talking exclusively to Business Matters Umunna said: “I’ve always been clear that Small Business Saturday should be cross party and not a political statement from the labour party….. I wrote to every single local authority to see if they would get on board with it and they all wanted to take part, regardless of political parties.
“It was however a bit tricky dealing with Number 10 and the Conservatives nationally at this point. They were quite resistant and tried to dissuade people from getting involved. They tried to dissuade American Express, they tried to dissuade some of the businesses on the basis of it being party political…. this was at a very senior level, but luckily the local authorities were supportive and the number 10 fell inline… I’ve never said this before, but I can now as we’ve had a change of administration and not run by David Cameron and George Osborne anymore.”
Downing Street declined to comment on the claims.
This year SBS is taking part on December 3rd around the country. For more information on the event visit Small Business Saturday UK.
