Independent hoteliers encouraged to participate in Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday, the annual campaign to promote small businesses across the UK, is encouraging independent hoteliers to participate on Saturday, 3 December.

Now in its fourth year, Small Business Saturday is estimated to have generated some £623m worth of spending across the country’s small businesses on 6 December, 2015 – up £119m on 2014 and an increase in spending of 24%.

Michelle Ovens, campaign director, said: “Independent hotel businesses play a significant role in the UK small business sector and the identities of their respective local communities.

“Recent government business population figures indicate small and micro-sized hotels and similar accommodation providers are responsible for just over 30% of employment in the trade.

“In addition, the same data suggests turnover among small and micro-sized companies in the sector has increased a huge 8.3% in the last year, which is testament to the hard work and health of the trade’s small independents.”

A 29-stop bus tour spanning the UK – starting in Aberdeen on 24 October and ending in Bournemouth on 25 November – aims to promote the campaign to both consumers and small business owners around the UK and will host workshops and seminars.

Independent hoteliers can become involved with the campaign by applying via its website and sending off for the free marketing kit, which includes posters and window stickers.