UK Roadshow to Showcase the Role of Small Businesses in Local Communities

BT Group is the UK’s leading provider of telecoms and digital solutions, operating Consumer, Business, International, and Openreach units. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, it underpins the nation’s connectivity. 

Small Business Saturday has confirmed that its annual UK roadshow, The Tour, will return this autumn with plans to visit 23 towns and cities across the country. The campaign is designed to highlight the impact of small businesses on local economies and communities in the run-up to Small Business Saturday on 6 December 2025.

The month-long roadshow begins in Scotland, with early stops in Lossiemouth, Aberdeenshire, and Edinburgh. From there, it will continue across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, covering a route of around 3,000 miles.

Locations include Belfast, Manchester, Durham, Preston, Carlisle, Derby, Grimsby, Wrexham, Hereford, Newport, Plymouth, Salisbury, Cambridge, Brighton, Maidstone, Leighton Buzzard, and London.

Planned visits will feature a wide range of enterprises, including a cycling adventure company in Scotland, a luxury chocolatier in the North of England, bakeries in Wales, and a shoe repair business in the South.

Spotlight on small business stories

The Tour, supported by BT, provides a platform to share the stories of business owners while showcasing the value of small enterprises in job creation, innovation, and local growth.

"Small Business Saturday is all about championing the incredible entrepreneurs who bring passion, innovation, and heart to communities across the UK," says Michelle Ovens CBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK.

"The Tour gives us the opportunity to hit the road and engage directly with the nation’s favourite small businesses, celebrating their unique stories and the essential role they play in strengthening local economies. We’re excited to begin this next chapter and highlight the creativity and resilience that make small businesses the foundation of our communities."

Participants from last year describe the initiative as an opportunity to build visibility and connect with peers. Carol Jackson, Owner of ELJ Drinks Ltd, reflects:

"Being part of the Small Business Saturday Tour 2024 was such a fabulous experience! We loved welcoming the team, giving our brand more exposure and meeting so many other inspiring small businesses along the way."

She adds: "The Tour is a fabulous celebration of entrepreneurial spirit, culminating in Small Business Saturday and we can't wait to be part of the magic again in 2025! If the tour is heading your way, don’t miss it. Get involved, show up, and soak up the support, energy and wider community. You’ll love it!"

Sustainable travel and business support

To minimise its environmental impact, the roadshow continues to use electric vehicles, reflecting the sustainable practices many small business owners adopt on their journey towards net zero.

Alongside the physical tour, Small Business Saturday will host a month of free online support for small firms. This includes daily workshops, mentoring sessions, and insight events with industry experts and entrepreneurs.

Chris Sims, Chief Commercial Officer, UK Business, BT, comments:

 "Small businesses are vital to the UK economy, and providing entrepreneurs with the right support is crucial to their success. The Tour offers a great platform to engage with small businesses across the country, delivering tailored advice and resources to help them grow and adapt. This is an important initiative that allows businesses to connect for good, strengthening local communities and fostering innovation and resilience across the economy."

A grassroots campaign with national backing

Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign encouraging people to ‘shop local’ and support independent enterprises. Since launching in the UK 13 years ago, the initiative has engaged millions of consumers and generated billions of pounds in spending with small businesses.

The campaign’s principal supporter is American Express, which has backed the initiative since its UK launch.

Roadshow Dates

The confirmed stops for the 2024 Small Business Saturday Tour are:

• Mon 3 Nov – Lossiemouth
• Tue 4 Nov – Aberdeenshire
• Wed 5 Nov – Edinburgh
• Thu 6 Nov – Belfast
• Fri 7 Nov – Preston
• Mon 10 Nov – Carlisle
• Tue 11 Nov – Durham
• Wed 12 Nov – Manchester
• Thu 13 Nov – Grimsby
• Fri 14 Nov – Derby
• Mon 17 Nov – Wrexham
• Tue 18 Nov – Hereford
• Wed 19 Nov – Newport
• Thu 20 Nov – Crediton
• Fri 21 Nov – Plymouth
• Mon 24 Nov – Salisbury
• Tue 25 Nov – Brighton
• Wed 26 Nov – Maidstone
• Thu 27 Nov – Leighton Buzzard
• Fri 28 Nov – Cambridge
• Mon 1 Dec – London
• Tue 2 Dec – London
• Wed 3 Dec – London

About BT Group

BT Group is the UK’s leading provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications and secure digital solutions. The company plays a central role in connecting people, businesses, and public services, while driving next-generation connectivity and digital innovation across the country.

The Group operates through four main divisions. Consumer provides households with broadband, mobile, TV, and landline services. Business supports companies and public sector organisations with advanced communications, IT, and cybersecurity solutions. International serves multinational organisations headquartered outside the UK, offering seamless global connectivity. Openreach, an independently governed, wholly owned subsidiary, builds and operates the UK’s digital network, delivering wholesale services to over 700 communications providers.

British Telecommunications plc, a wholly owned subsidiary of BT Group plc, encompasses the majority of the Group’s businesses and assets. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, BT Group remains a critical enabler of the UK’s digital infrastructure and economy.

About Small Business Saturday UK     

Small Business Saturday UK is a community-driven campaign that shines a spotlight on the achievements of small businesses and inspires people to ‘shop local’ to support their neighbourhoods. Since its launch in 2013, the event has taken place annually on the first Saturday of December, but its positive impact resonates throughout the entire year.

About American Express

American Express is a globally integrated payments company, recognised for its trusted brand, customer service, and premium product offering. It provides consumers and businesses with access to credit and charge cards, payment solutions, and loyalty programmes that deliver growth, security, and convenience in everyday transactions.

Its portfolio includes consumer cards with tailored rewards and benefits, and business and corporate cards that help organisations manage expenses and build financial resilience. Through merchant services, American Express enables businesses to accept payments and gain valuable insights to support growth. It also offers travel and lifestyle services, delivering premium experiences, exclusive offers, and global customer support.

Committed to responsible business practices and sustainability, American Express invests in financial inclusion, local communities, and small business growth. In the UK and beyond, the company continues to champion entrepreneurs through long-term initiatives such as its support for Small Business Saturday.