Collaboration on the agenda ahead of Small Business Saturday

The event, which promotes the value of small and micro-businesses in the UK, takes place on December 6 and has three themes: Inspire, Support and Promote.

Tina Boden, co-founder of Enterprise Rockers, is kicking off a series of Inspire events next week, to show small businesses how to make the most of their resources and demonstrate how traders can combine to attract customers.

Ms Boden told The Yorkshire Post: “Through collaboration, a town can become a department store.

“Whether it’s on the high street or the side street, you can find businesses that become the clothing department, the lighting department, the food department.

“It’s about encouraging businesses to come together and get involved.”

Just under five million of the UK companies are microbusinesses, while 99 per cent of all companies are small and medium-sized firms, Ms Boden said.

“If companies come together, there’s an awful lot to shout about.”

Small Business: Collaboration is Key takes place at Leeds Library on October 7 at 6pm. The interactive event will be live-streamed, with a question and answer session also taking place on Twitter.

It is just one event taking place in the region in the run up to Small Business Saturday.

A bus tour bringing information and advice on small businesses will visit Leeds Library on November 17. It will then head to York on November 18, to coincide with the start of the York Business Conference.

Small Business Saturday is “another great opportunity” to promote the value of microbusinesses across all sectors, Ms Boden said.

However, the important thing is to continue the momentum through the year, much like growing a start-up business.

“Starting a business is the sexy bit,” Ms Boden said. “Keeping it going and attracting business is less sexy, but it’s important.”