Hay Hampers celebrated at House of Lords by SmallBiz

LONDON, 26 NOVEMBER 2018: The UK’s top small businesses, including a food and wine luxury gift company from Bourne, received special recognition today at an exclusive House of Lords reception.

Hay Hampers was recognised as one of this year’s Small Biz 100, for its contribution to both the UK economy and its local community, ahead of this weekend’s Small Business Saturday, which will be celebrated across the UK on 1 December.

Lord Young of Graffham, former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Government Adviser on enterprise and small business, hosted the event and said:

“Small Business Saturday is a vital campaign to highlight the critical role that small businesses play in fuelling the British economy. They are the true backbone of our economy, helping to drive growth across all areas of the country. Hosting the impressive businesses in this year’s Small Biz was a huge pleasure, and it is only a small part of the recognition they deserve for their entrepreneurial spirit shown day in, day out.”

Supported by card reader start-up Square, the event was attended by special guests including Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, who commented:

“Small businesses accounted for 99.3% of all private sector businesses at the start of 2018. Total employment in SMEs was 16.3 million; 60% of all private sector employment in the UK. The combined annual turnover of SMEs was £2.0 trillion, 52% of all private sector turnover.”

The House of Lords reception echoed the support for Small Business Saturday seen across Government, since the campaign came to the UK in 2013. Last year saw the Prime Minister and the Mayor of London come out in support of the day, along with the majority of local councils.

Director of Small Business Saturday UK, Michelle Ovens stated:

“The Small Biz 100 represent the very best in British business at the heart of our economy. Day in day out small businesses prove themselves to be innovative, community-minded and capable of thriving in what are undoubtedly challenging times. They are hugely deserving of recognition.

Marketing Director at Hay Hampers, Elisabeth Och said:

“We are thrilled to have the honour of taking part in this special celebration at The House of Lords and being chosen as one of the top one hundred small businesses in this country”.

Small Business Saturday 2018 is open to all businesses to participate in and is currently concluding its regional bus tour roadshow to drum up further support from the public to shop local.