Britain backs small business as national campaign generates £12.5m for independent firms
A national campaign encouraging consumers to support local businesses has generated more than £12.5m in revenue, 250,000 purchases and 30,000 customer reviews after more than 10,000 firms across the UK got involved.
UK Small Business Week (1 to 7 June), launched by entrepreneur Nigel Botterill and supported by Entrepreneurs Circle, set out to encourage people to consciously choose independent businesses and recognise the role they play in local communities and the wider economy.
The week saw businesses across the country running events, thanking customers, collecting reviews, showcasing their stories and encouraging people to shop local.
What began as a simple idea quickly became a national movement.
More than 10,000 businesses signed up to take part, while the campaign’s first 1,000 support packs sold out within 48 hours of launch.
Now, with the final figures in, organisers say the results demonstrate both the appetite for supporting small businesses and the impact consumers can have when they choose to spend locally.
Nigel Botterill, founder of Entrepreneurs Circle, said: “When we launched UK Small Business Week, the message was simple. If we want thriving town centres, vibrant communities and a stronger economy, we need to back the small businesses that make them possible.
“The response has been incredible.
“More than 10,000 businesses got involved. Customers made over 250,000 purchases. More than 30,000 reviews were left. Together, that generated over £12.5 million in revenue for independent businesses.
“But the most important number isn’t any of those.
“It’s the number of people who made a conscious decision to support a local business.
“That proves the appetite is there.”
Throughout the week, businesses reported wins of every size.
Some generated thousands of pounds in additional sales. Others gained new customers, received their first reviews in months, strengthened relationships within their communities or simply rediscovered confidence and momentum.
Botterill believes those stories matter just as much as the headline figures.
“Some wins were huge. Some were small. But every one of them started with somebody taking action,” he said.
“Small businesses don’t need sympathy. They need support.
“They need customers choosing them, recommending them, reviewing them and telling others about them.
“When small businesses thrive, Britain thrives.”
Following the success of the inaugural campaign, Entrepreneurs Circle has confirmed plans are already underway for UK Small Business Week to return in 2027.
Botterill hopes the momentum created this year will continue long after the campaign itself has ended.
“My hope is that people don’t wait for another UK Small Business Week before supporting their local businesses,” he said.
“If you’ve discovered a great independent café, shop, tradesperson, consultant, restaurant or retailer this year, keep using them.
“Because every purchase, every recommendation and every review helps keep local businesses alive.
“We’ve shown what’s possible when Britain gets behind small business. Next year, we’ll be back and we intend to make it even bigger.”