THE Small Business Saturday bus is coming to North Yorkshire carrying the message ‘Small Business, Big Difference’

Small Business Saturday UK – the annual campaign that puts small, independent businesses in communities across the country in the national spotlight – has announced that Helmsley and Boroughbridge will be two of the stops when it takes to the road again with a nationwide promotional bus tour to raise the profile of the campaign and of the day itself, on Saturday, December 3.

The ‘A to B’ bus tour will begin in Aberdeen on Monday, October 24, and end in Bournemouth on Friday, November 25.

On Wednesday, November 2, the bus tour will visit Helmsley in the morning and Boroughbridge in the afternoon, to promote the campaign to both local small business owners and consumers.

The bus tour, which aims to promote the campaign to both consumers and small business owners around the UK, will also host workshops and seminars at its daily destinations.

The Small Business Saturday national campaign director, Michelle Ovens, said: “Small Business Saturday is not just a campaign to raise awareness of our diverse and innovative small business sector, but also a vehicle from which small businesses who embrace make use of the campaign can derive tangible benefit.

“The bus tour is a very visible way for us to meet small businesses around the UK and show them how they can become involved as well as drumming up consumer interest, support and enthusiasm.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming small business owners and consumers to the bus to get information and find out ways in which they can support small businesses and make the day work most effectively for companies in their own communities.”

Last month it was announced that two companies from York and North Yorkshire, including one in Helmsley, would be among the 100 ventures to be celebrated by Small Business Saturday.

The Helmsley venture is Duncombe Sawmill, a 120-year old manufacturing and retailing venture which provides timber products including gates, fencing, garden furniture and cut timber.

Emma Wood bought the business in 2003 after it closed for financial reasons. With the help of her team and the support of customers, the enterprise has been turned around.

The other featured company is Homeward Creative, an independent bespoke furniture and homeware business based Acaster Malbis, near York, which makes one-off bespoke pieces.

Founder Emma Bailey and her partner, Dave Parker, previously lived in London and wanted a complete change of career.