Maxine Michaelides, Owner of the Stanley Road Store
Independent businesses in Brighton celebrated as part of Small Business Saturday’s Tour highlighting the nation’s favourite businesses
26 NOVEMBER 2025: Local businesses in Brighton were in the spotlight this week when Small Business Saturday’s UK-wide roadshow visited the city, celebrating the nation’s favourite small businesses and their vital role in local communities.
‘The Tour’, designed to champion small businesses across the UK in the run up to Small Business Saturday on 6 December, featured ‘behind the scenes’ visits to a selection of Brighton’s businesses, highlighting their stories, successes, and ambitions for the future.
Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign that celebrates small businesses and encourages consumers to support and spend with small firms.
During the visit, the roadshow team met Maxine, owner of The Stanley Road Store, a two-storey independent department store that supports local makers with a curated selection of homewares, prints, gifts and quirky clothing.
Once again supported by BT, the Small Business Saturday roadshow is visiting over 20 towns and cities across the UK throughout November, showcasing local businesses on social media alongside offering a range of free online support for small business owners.
Local businesses featured during the Brighton stop included Pen to Paper, where owner Graham has spent 25 years championing artisanal stationery and writing tools. They also met Kitty from Toby Tiger, the family-run childrenswear brand known for its colourful organic designs, and Lisa from Hemp Well, one of the UK’s leading CBD companies that grows its own plants and produces a range of wellbeing products.
Above L to R: Graham from Pen to Paper, Kitty from Toby Tiger and Sophie from Simon Webster Hair
At Simon Webster Hair, Sophie Webster shared how she and her husband have built a multi-award-winning salon rooted in sustainability, recently recognised as Brighton Girl Salon of the Year, and the roadshow team ended the day at English’s of Brighton, the city’s oldest restaurant, which has specialised in oysters and seafood for 150 years.
“Thank you to Small Business Saturday for coming to visit us here in Brighton. It is very important for these national campaigns to support small businesses across the country, for us to continue to grow and survive. We have been here 150 years and we want to be here another 150 years, so campaigns like this help us raise awareness,” said Nicholas Karnicki, General Manager at English’s of Brighton.
Following its stop in Brighton, Small Business Saturday’s roadshow will continue to Leighton Buzzard, Cambridge, and London, ahead of the campaign on 6 December.
“It’s incredible to have the opportunity to visit Brighton and hear directly from local entrepreneurs about their passion, innovation, and plans for growth,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK.
“This year we’re highlighting the nation's favourite businesses, which are the lifeblood of local communities, and it’s fantastic to see the support and enthusiasm they receive during the campaign.”
Alongside the roadshow, Small Business Saturday is offering small businesses in Brighton and all over the UK a month of dedicated, free online business support, including webinars on a wide range of small business topics, as well as mentoring from business experts.
“Small businesses are vital to the UK economy, and giving entrepreneurs the right support and guidance is crucial to their success,” said Chris Sims, Chief Commercial Officer, UK Business, at BT.
“The Tour provides a valuable opportunity to connect directly with small businesses across the country, offering tailored guidance and practical resources to help them grow and adapt. It’s a powerful initiative that brings businesses together to drive innovation, strengthen local communities, and build a more resilient economy.”
Backed by principal supporter American Express, Small Business Saturday has been running for over a decade since 2013. Over this time it has engaged millions of people and seen billions of pounds spent with small businesses across the UK on Small Business Saturday, with an impact that lasts all year round.
On Small Business Saturday, customers across the country are encouraged to support local businesses, whether online, in stores, or at events, many of which are offering special promotions to mark the day.
The Small Business Saturday Tour team will travel across the UK in branded electric vehicles, reflecting the sustainable practices many small business owners are adopting in the race to net zero.
To follow The Tour’s journey visit @SmallBizSatUK on Instagram. Small businesses can head to the Small Business Saturday website to access free business support and get involved in the campaign - https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/the-tour#VirtualRoadshow