Two Welsh businesses have been selected among the UK's favourite independent firms as part of this year's Small Business Saturday campaign.
Radnor Preserves in Newtown and Art on Scarves in Abergele have both been included in the Nation's Favourite Businesses, which showcases independent businesses from across the UK ahead of Small Business Saturday on 5 December.
The recognition also puts the Welsh businesses in contention for growth funding, with two eligible firms featured in the campaign set to receive grants of £10,000 each, funded by American Express.
The money can be used to support areas including new equipment, marketing and improvements to the customer experience.
Radnor Preserves is a multi-award-winning artisan food producer based in Newtown, creating handcrafted marmalades, preserves and chutneys.
The company has built its reputation around small-batch products and joins businesses spanning retail, hospitality, manufacturing, services and social enterprise in this year's national campaign.
North Wales is represented by Art on Scarves in Abergele.
The business transforms imagery inspired by Britain's landscapes, wildlife and heritage into wearable art, creating distinctive scarves based around original artwork.
Their inclusion provides recognition for two very different examples of Welsh entrepreneurship, spanning artisan food production in Mid Wales and creative design in North Wales.
The Nation's Favourite Businesses initiative was introduced last year and builds on Small Business Saturday's longstanding SmallBiz100 programme, which has traditionally showcased independent businesses and entrepreneurs from across the country.
This year's campaign comes as the organisers seek to encourage consumers to support independent firms during the final quarter of the year, an important trading period for many smaller businesses.
Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK, said:
“Small businesses have always been, and will continue to be, among the nation's favourite businesses. Whether on our high streets, online or embedded in local communities, they play a vital role in the places we live and in the strength of our economy.
“This year's Nation's Favourite Businesses are a true representation of the UK's most-loved small businesses. From independent, family run cafés and local restaurants, to makers, services, and traders, they showcase the incredible diversity of the UK's small business community.”
Small Business Saturday has operated in the UK since 2013 and encourages consumers to shop with and support smaller and independent businesses.
American Express, which founded the UK campaign and remains its principal supporter, is providing the two £10,000 grants available to businesses featured this year.
Dan Edelman, General Manager, UK Merchant Services at American Express, said:
“Small businesses bring energy, innovation and character to our high streets and local economies.
“This year's Nation's Favourite Businesses are a brilliant showcase of the UK's entrepreneurial spirit, and we're delighted to be providing grant funding that will help two of these inspiring businesses invest in their next chapter of growth.”
For Radnor Preserves and Art on Scarves, the recognition puts businesses from both Mid and North Wales on a UK-wide platform as the countdown to Small Business Saturday begins.
