A CHESTER business will be given a spell in the limelight as part of this year’s Small Biz 100, a national campaign highlighting some of the UK’s most inspiring small businesses.

Marking 100 days building up to Small Business Saturday on December 5, the Small Biz 100 provides a major profile boost to small businesses across the UK, particularly at this challenging time.

And this year The Wine School of Cheshire, based in Chester, will be given its time to shine.

Showcasing a daily celebration of the Small Biz 100 through social media, the campaign aims to support and celebrate a vibrant range of small, community driven businesses across the UK.

The Wine School of Cheshire, founded by Richard J Smith in 2013, offers a range of tasting events and classes all around Cheshire and will be placed in the spotlight on November 10, with a celebratory event to be held in Chester.

Richard said: “I am thrilled to have been selected for SmallBiz100 for 2020 - especially after such a challenging year which has seen wine school move online during lockdown and wine school celebrate its seventh birthday in June and I will celebrate 30 years in wine this December.

"There are almost six million small businesses in Britain, so to have been selected as one the top 100 for 2020 is truly amazing!”

Among the other firms being recognised are a family-run florist in Bristol, a beauty salon in Inverness, and an online makers market covering south-central England.

Michelle Ovens MBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: “Congratulations to The Wine School of Cheshire for joining the Small Biz 100!

"This campaign highlights the amazing, positive impact small firms have on communities across the UK.

"Given the phenomenally tough time small businesses have had, and the special role they played supporting communities in lockdown, it’s vital we continue to support them as this crisis continues.

"This year’s Small Business Saturday is going to be the most important one yet, and were determined it will also be the best.”

Now in its eighth year in the UK, Small Business Saturday has grown significantly each year, with a record turnout of 17.6 million people choosing to shop small on the day last year, generating an estimated £800m.