Small is most definitely, mighty – says Derby Printer

Essential Print Services co-hosts one of the country’s single biggest events for Small Business Saturday UK.

Well, it’s certainly true what they say, good things really do come in small packages and small, local businesses are no exception to the rule!

Saturday 5th December saw an army of small business supporters from across Derby and Derbyshire descend on the Council House in the city centre to attend the eagerly anticipated “Small Business Saturday”.

For those of you that don’t know, just to recap, it’s the one day in the year when small, local and independently owned enterprises come together. Its a chance for them to take centre stage in showcasing what they have to offer as well as highlighting the valued contribution that they each make to the UK High Street.

Being only one of twenty “Small Business Saturday Champions” in the UK, it was my job to help spread word of the event as far and as wide as possible. Judging by the response and the turnout on the day, I did a pretty good job, even if I do say so myself!

To show my company’s commitment to the event, Essential Print Services supplied all the banners, signage, printed programmes, flyers, pledge cards and even printed goodie bags, completely free of charge.

Not only did owners, traders and service providers of Derby attend the event, we were also joined by none other than Dame Margaret Beckett (MP) and Councillor Martin Rawson (Deputy Leader of Derby City Council). They braved the elements to come out and show their support and delivered keynote speeches to the crowd that had amassed.

The day kicked off bright and early as there was a jam packed agenda of talks and workshops for all attendees, giving them all valuable insights into how to make their business stand out from the crowd but above all, how to be successful in today’s testing trading conditions.

After key business figures within the community had imparted their knowledge onto the keen ears of all that were there, the day came to a close with an exciting prize draw with two lucky winners walking away with a combined prize value of over £2000.

Thank you to all those who donated prizes including Portixol Relocations who donated an overnight stay at The Birchover Residences. Thanks also go to Derby accountancy firm, David Coleman & Co, who donated a year’s worth of accounting software and local jeweller, Equine Diamonds, who donated a pair of exquisite earrings.

In a show of their support, Derby City Council offered free parking to anyone visiting the city centre, both on street and in all council run car parks which enabled anyone who wanted to come along and join in, to do so.

Derby Business TV was out in force, with Neale Lewis interviewing just a few of the many people who exhibited and visited.

Now for the numbers…
Official statistics show that in the 24 hours following the event, an estimated £623 million was spent with small businesses across the UK! This number is a whopping increase of approximately £119 million on last year’s total and an increase in spending of 24%. WOW!

The event was also a huge success across social media platforms with over 100,000 tweets published on the day that had a combined reach of more than 25 million people. AMAZING!

Almost half (48%) of consumers who were aware of the day and who shopped in a small business on the 5th December, said they spent more than usual, with 34% saying they had spent at least a quarter (25%) more than they would usually on a typical Saturday. If that isn’t a result, then I don’t know what is!

With a resounding success reported by everyone who came along on the day, I can’t wait until next year which is set to be even bigger and even better! Bring it on!

All photographs have been kindly supplied by Derby Photographer, Averill Photography.

To register your interest for 2016’s event, email info@smallbusinessderby.co.uk