Now that most UK businesses are getting back to work following the Christmas and New Year break, business representatives are calling for the UK to adopt the American style ‘Small Business Saturday’.

Since 2010, the first Saturday following Thanksgiving has been labelled as ‘Small Business Saturday’, with the American public encouraged to use small businesses and local shops instead of using national corporations. Last year it took place on November 24th,

The creators and main sponsors of the idea are American Express who encourage celebrities and famous faces to get involved. Notably this year even Barak Obama made a point of shopping at a local independent book shop. It is estimated that £3.4 billion was spent with local businesses on this day across America.

To bring a boost to UK local businesses, Shadow Businss Secretary Chuka Umunna has now called for for a similar scheme to come to the UK. The push is for this to happen on 7th December just as the next Christmas shopping rush begins, it will be one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Mr Umunna commented on the new scheme: “We must do more to celebrate the contribution local, small independent businesses make to our economy and encourage people to buy from them.

“Establishing a Small Business Saturday in the UK, a concept which has enjoyed considerable success in the US, would provide a small but simple and effective way to celebrate local small businesses and encourage more people to buy from them on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

“A Small Business Saturday in the UK is something all local authorities, whatever their political persuasion, could support and promote.”

He also stated that he had been in contact with American Express to discuss how they could bring Small Business Saturday to the UK.

At 08Direct we are always interested to read about anything which could small businesses in the UK. We would also be delighted to provide support to the scheme in anyway we can.

What do you think about the prospect of a Small Business Saturday in the UK? Do you think your business could benefit?