UK Small Business Week 2026: A Free National Spotlight for Independents

It's not often you see a national push purely focused on getting small businesses seen — and that's exactly what Entrepreneurs Circle, founded and led by Nigel Botterill, is doing with UK Small Business Week. Best of all, taking part is completely free.

UK Small Business Week 2026 begins today, running from 1st to 7th June. It's a coordinated national campaign designed to encourage consumers to recognise, support and spend with independent businesses across the UK.

For one week, the campaign aims to direct public attention toward local, independent businesses rather than corporate chains. Registration and participation are free.

Who's behind it

The campaign is created, operated and delivered by Entrepreneurs Circle, a Solihull-based business support community that has worked with independent business owners for over 15 years. The organisers describe the initiative as founder-led and practitioner-built.

According to the organisers, the campaign is designed to help independent businesses raise their profile, connect with more local customers and encourage consumers to support small businesses in their communities. Registered businesses can access promotional resources, appear on the campaign's discovery map and take part in a nationwide effort to spotlight independent firms..

What it stands for

The organisers state the campaign is shaped around the realities of running a small business:

• Independent and founder-led — built specifically for independent, non-corporate businesses.

• Non-political and non-promotional — the focus is on visibility rather than sales, discounts or political messaging.

• Free to join — no fees, no commission, no ongoing commitment.

  
  

Five ways to take part

1. Register — add your details online in under 30 seconds, completely free.

2. Get on the map — registered businesses are pinned to a national discovery map, so local customers actively looking to support independents can find you.

3. Grab the digital toolkit — a ready-made suite of social media graphics, website badges, email banners and printable posters.

4. Claim the physical toolkit (optional) — window stickers, in-store signage and a participation certificate, delivered to your door for just the cost of postage

5. As part of the campaign we will be spotlighting and sharing specific stories from small businesses all over the UK.

   If you want the chance to get profiled in the national (and local) press, be even more visible, and get maximum exposure from Small Business Week, complete your Business Profile submission after you register your business to take part.

   The best stories will be selected to be published in the lead up and during Small Business Week..

   
   

How to get involved

Registration takes under 30 seconds and is free. Businesses can register, view the live discovery map, or find full details on the official page at entrepreneurscircle.org/sbw.