Meet the independents putting the Midlands on the map as UK’s top 100 small businesses announced.
Leading Warwickshire restaurant, The Butchers Social, and Birmingham’s very own social enterprise café, Evolve (pictured), have been revealed as part of this year’s Small Business 100 line-up; a campaign dedicated to showcasing one hundred of the UK’s trailblazing independent businesses. The announcement of the #SmallBiz100 kicks off the countdown to Small Business Saturday, taking place on December 7th; a day dedicated to supporting small businesses and encouraging consumers to shop local.
Since the Small Business 100 launched back in 2013, Midlands’ businesses have consistently featured within the #SmallBiz100. It’s no surprise when the region has worked hard to create a culture that is all about celebrating independents, inspiring people to want to shop local. There has been a real resurgence amongst small independent retailers over the last 10 years, that has positioned the Midlands as a thriving hub for independent retail.
2019 sees over a dozen Midlands businesses hand-selected as part of this year’s #SmallBiz100. Making their debut are stand-out finalists Evolve and The Butchers Social. While Evolve provides young people who have faced barriers into employment with training and job opportunities, helping them onto the career ladder in the hospitality sector, The Butchers Social is one of the region’s leading independent restaurants, loved by locals and destination foodies alike.
Taking about the Small Business 100, Chef-Owner of The Butcher’s Social, Mike Bullard (front pic) comments: “Surviving against the marketing moguls, huge budgets and ubiquitous presence of the food franchises dominating UK high street is tough, but incentives like Small Biz 100 provide an amazing platform to profile businesses like TBS. Being an independent restaurant means consistently fighting against chain restaurants, with small businesses under increasing pressureto go above and beyond to offer amazing customer experience and a completely unique offering.”
He adds: “Being part of Small Biz 100 is a huge achievement for The Butchers Social. As a small business that prides itself on offering heart, soul and a big personality to match, our ethos is all about embodying what being a small business is all about in the current climate.”
Small Business Saturday is the UK’s leading campaign for celebrating small businesses and last year saw over £812 million spent on Small Business Saturday. In the 100 days running up to Small Business Saturday on 7th December, the campaign will spotlight one small business per day. Day one of the Small Biz 100 count-down kicks off with The Butchers Social, with Evolve featured on 19th November.
For more information about Small Business Saturday and to view the full 100, please visit their website
