05 Dec 2024
Forget Black Friday and Cyber Monday, our local independents are focused on this weekend’s big event – Small Business Saturday.
Taking place this Saturday, December 7, this is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support their independent communities.
Each year Small Business Saturday runs a national roadshow that travels the length and breadth of the country to tell the story of the UK’s incredible small businesses – and last Thursday it came to St Albans.
The visit was organised by Jen Smith, aka business consultant the Curious Mentor, who has also been a Small Business Saturday mentor for the past four years, offering companies the chance to sign up for an hour of funded mentoring to support their work
The Small Business Saturday team of Mat Slosiar and Gemma Johnson – who have already visited 23 different locations in the UK this year – toured St Albans and met with various local independents.
Starting off in the city centre, they enjoyed the launch of this year’s St Albans Postbox Toppers, visited the Cathedral and Clock Tower, and then met with Tim Wilson, owner of tiles specialist Terzetto Stone on Chequer Street alongside MP Daisy Cooper.
Then it was a walk around the corner into High Street to see Donna Nichols, owner of Chloe James Lifestyle, before heading over to Marshalswick.
Arriving at The Quadrant, they visited Paul Murray and Basil the dog at Phoenix Barbers, Jez Levy in opticians EYES on St Albans, and took part in a workshop with Heartwood Glass, one of Small Business Saturday’s top 100 businesses for 2023, with co-owner Alex Hamilton-Bray also one of Small Business Saturday’s top 100 entrepreneurs for 2024.
Jez said: “‘We were thrilled, nay bowled over to have been selected to welcome Small Business Saturday to EYES on St Albans, representing our awesome flock of small and independent businesses in the area, ahead of Small Business Saturday this Saturday December 7.”
Alex from Heartwood Glass added: “Having been part of the Small Business Saturday top businesses in 2023, it was great to welcome Gemma and Mat to our Christmas decoration glass workshop. Having the opportunity to showcase what we do and talk about the difference running Heartwood Glass has made to our mental health was brilliant, especially joining with the other local businesses to show the depth of independent talent we have in St Albans.”
Mat and Gemma said afterwards: “The Small Business Saturday team absolutely loved visiting St Albans! It was truly inspiring to meet so many passionate entrepreneurs and see this year’s theme, Small Business, Big Community, in action.
“The team also had a great chat with local MP Daisy Cooper, who is incredibly supportive of small businesses and deeply committed to helping them thrive. From stylish glasses at EYES on St Albans to gorgeous tiles at Terzetto, unique gifts at Chloe James Lifestyle, and the artistry of glassmaking with Heartwood Glass, the city is brimming with amazing finds.
“A huge thank you to Jen Smith for being such a wonderful advocate for St Albans and for giving us such a warm welcome and brilliant tour of the city. It’s clear that St Albans is a shining example of small business excellence—don’t miss the chance to support your local heroes this Saturday!”
