Britain risks weakening its economy by taking small businesses for granted, according to Nigel Botterill, who is launching a new national campaign to put them back at the centre of the conversation.
Botterill, founder of Entrepreneurs Circle, is behind UK Small Business Week, a nationwide initiative taking place from 1–7 June that will bring together communities, entrepreneurs and local leaders in a coordinated push to recognise and support the businesses that form the backbone of the UK economy.
The week will be driven through Entrepreneurs Circle’s national network of business owners, shining a spotlight on independent firms and the contribution they make to jobs, communities and local growth. It comes as many small businesses face rising costs and increasing pressure, while larger corporates continue to dominate attention and advantage.
Botterill says the imbalance is no longer something that can be politely ignored. “We’ve got a backbone problem in this country,” he said. “The very businesses holding everything up are under the most pressure. And we’re sick of seeing big corporate tax evaders being patronised and celebrated while local high streets quietly die a death. That’s the reality on the ground. The businesses holding communities together are being overlooked while the spotlight goes elsewhere.”
Across the UK, independent businesses are facing rising costs and shifting consumer habits, while continuing to create jobs, support local communities and keep money circulating locally.
Botterill is clear the frustration is not aimed at the public, but at the system that creates that imbalance. “People want to support local businesses. They don’t want empty shops or declining high streets,” he said. “But the way things are set up, it’s often easier to spend with big corporates who don’t give back in the same way. That’s not about blame. It’s about recognising the playing field isn’t level.”
In the run-up to UK Small Business Week, Entrepreneurs Circle will begin spotlighting founders from across the country, sharing real stories of businesses built from scratch and the role they play in their communities. The campaign is expected to generate national and regional media coverage, alongside community-led activity encouraging people to reconnect with and support the businesses on their doorstep.
“This is about putting small businesses back where they belong,” added Botterill. “At the heart of the economy, not on the sidelines. Because if we carry on like this, we’ll wake up one day and wonder where they all went.”
More details about UK Small Business Week will be announced in the coming weeks.
