Monday, 2 December Farley Boxall, founder of Breakout Long Melford was one of hundreds of small businesses joining a special reception at the House of Lords to celebrate Small Business Saturday this weekend.
Taking place on 7 December, the campaign celebrates small business success and encourages people to ‘shop local’ and support businesses in their communities.
Hosted by Small Business Saturday, in partnership with the campaign’s founder and principal supporter American Express, the event in Westminster honoured Breakout Long Melford as part of this year’s SmallBiz100.
The SmallBiz100 is a line-up of 100 brilliant small businesses from all over the country, which have been spotlighted in the lead-up to Small Business Saturday.
Farley Boxall was featured in recognition of her inspiring entrepreneurial journey, which has seen them create an award winning business support centre in the village of Long Melford.
The House of Lords event kicks off a week of celebrations ahead of Small Business Saturday, as it marks the contribution of the nation’s 5.5 million small businesses to communities, the local economy and wider society.
Farley Boxall said, “Our whole business and ethos is to help other small businesses, everything we do is to support and help others succeed to keep fantastic customer service, quality and choice across all industries. We are absolutely thrilled to be part of Small Business Saturday as it is everything we live
and breathe.”
Small business owners from across the UK and MPs from across the political spectrum came together at the reception with the Small Business Minister, Gareth Thomas MP, speaking at the event and meeting many entrepreneurs.
Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: “Small businesses like Breakout Long Melford deliver incredible value across their local community and the wider economy, so it is wonderful to have celebrated their contribution at the House of Lords.
“Public support is absolutely vital for small businesses across the UK, so we urge everyone up and down the country to get behind them on Small Business Saturday and beyond.”
A grassroots, not-for-profit campaign, Small Business Saturday was originally founded by American Express in the U.S. in 2010. American Express remains the principal supporter of the campaign in the UK, as part of its ongoing support of the UK high street and commitment to encouraging consumers to shop small.
On Small Business Saturday, customers across the UK go out and support all types of small businesses, online, in offices and in stores; from independent shops and restaurants to small service and b2b businesses like accountants and plumbers.
Many small businesses celebrate the day by hosting events, offering promotions, and collaborating with other small businesses.
This weekend Breakout Long Melford will be marking the campaign by sharing ideas, small businesses we love and hosting a pop up shop with OS Suffolk to ensure customers can find and buy from small businesses.
Running for over a decade, Small Business Saturday is the UK’s most successful business campaign, engaging millions around the value of small businesses and seeing billions of pounds spent with small firms on the day.
Dan Edelman, General Manager, UK Merchant Services at American Express, said: “With the festive period fast approaching, it’s heartening that public support for small businesses remains strong. Small Business Saturday is a campaign which remains as important now as when it first began. That’s why American Express is proud to champion the nation’s much-loved independent businesses as principal supporter, encouraging the nation to shop small.”