To mark the start of Small Business Saturday on 7^th December, the iconic Small Business Saturday tour bus will be travelling to Walthamstow town centre on the 3rd December 2019 as part of its UK-wide tour. The bus which will be positioned outside Walthamstow library will offer free mentoring sessions to small businesses, including mentors from Xero’s network of small business accountants, speed networking, Facebook live streaming to promote their business, plus much more. Promotional events and activities will also take place across the borough on Saturday 7^th December which is designed to encourage residents to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in our communities during the most economically active period in the year. This will include; business promotions and special offers, arts and craft markets; and the High Street Adventures project in Walthamstow High Street on the evening of the 7^th December which is part of our Night Time Economy zone project.  Here’s what they’re up to:

10am-2pm – Free on-board mentoring by our trusted local contacts. Small businesses must pre book via our website under “My Small Business” section. There will be a selection of times to choose from between 10am-2pm depending on the availability we have left. Sessions usually take up to an hour. www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com 

10am-2pm – Facebook live interviews on our ‘Blue Sofa’. This gives small businesses the chance to promote themselves to our large social followings. The Blue Sofa is pretty relaxed, if a small business has a particular story to tell or something specific they would like to talk about (won an award, hot networking events, have a great team ect) this can be discussed beforehand and we can tailor some questions. There is no need to book an interview, however if there is a small business/local diginatory who has requested a specific time, we are happy to accommodate. 

10am-2pm – Exhibition tables are available to book so small businesses can showcase their service/product. This can be pre-booked by emailing bustour@smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com with subject line EXHIBIT, there I will pick up the request and send the small businesses a confirmation email. There must be no selling. Table size 150cm x 50cm. If a small business would like to take part in the other activities throughout the day, we will have staff who can lend a hand on the exhibition table or we have lockers on-board the bus. 

11am-12pm – Networking hour this is a chance to meet other local small businesses, business experts and support services. Complimentary hot drinks and cakes will be provided. Once a location is sorted we will be able to set up an event link, for the time being this can be booked via our website under “My Small Business” section. www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com. 

Other exciting opportunities: 

– Dell is supporting the bus tour this year. They are running a competition for the best selfie in a range of frames that has been provided. There will be 1 winner a week who will win a Dell laptop! 
– Small Business Saturday UK is partnering the iDEA programme, this is a great opportunity for small businesses to join an international programme designed to address the digital skills gap. 
– Small Business Saturday iconic and free travel mug. 
– Last but not least exposure on all SBS social channels! 

In addition, WF Connected have recently published a map of local businesses, including those which have offers for Small Business Saturday. You can find it and add your own business here: http://maps.walthamstuff.com/