With less than a month to go until Independents’ Day 2014, Theo Paphitis, long time star of the BBC’s Dragons’ Den, Chairman of Ryman Stationery and Robert Dyas and founder of the lingerie brand Boux Avenue, has thrown his weight behind the campaign and urged small hospitality businesses to make use of the training on offer in preparation for the day.
Independents’ Day campaign
Run by People 1st and the National Skills Academy for Retail (NSAR) and now in its fourth year, the Independents’ Day campaign celebrates the contribution small businesses make to the UK and culminates on 4 July, when the public are encouraged to visit and buy from their local independent tourism and visitor economy businesses.
A large number of local businesses and towns have already confirmed their support for Independents’ Day and are currently finalising plans for events and activities that will take place on Friday 4 July. The campaign also has the support of 18 trade associations (see below).
Paphitis has encouraged businesses to take part in the campaign, and stressed the importance of making sure staff are trained in advance, commenting:
“I would definitely encourage town centres to embrace Independents’ Day. Small and independent businesses are the lifeblood of the UK’s high streets and tourist hotspots, so making sure that they have the right skills for success is vital to the economy.
Small businesses to take the limelight
“Independents’ Day is a fantastic opportunity for small businesses to take the limelight, attract new customers and show off the unique offer that sets them apart. But it’s important that business owners are prepared to take advantage of this opportunity. That means making sure that their staff are trained to deliver excellent service, and that they themselves have the skills to promote their business and maximise sales.”
Training support
People 1st and NSAR are providing training support to businesses in the lead-up to this year’s Independents’ Day, with a particular focus on customer service skills through the WorldHost training programme, and online marketing skills through the Digital High Street Skills programme.
Out of home operators including restaurants, pubs, hotels, cafes, caterers and contract caterers can also enter a competition by Independents’ Day sponsors, Mondelez International, to win one of 30 free places on the Digital High Street Skills programme.
Use the training on offer
Paphitis added: “The key to growing a small business is not to stand still. The most successful business owners are always looking to learn and develop both their own skills and those of their staff. I would urge small businesses to use the training that is on offer through the Independents’ Day campaign to ensure they really make the most of the celebrations on 4 July.”
More information on Independents’ Day, how businesses and other organisations can get involved and the training support on offer is available here
Trade associations
In support are: Association of Cycle Traders; Association of Town and City Management; Act Smart; Beverage Standards Association; Bira; Booksellers Association; British Council of Shopping Centres; British Sandwich Association; Entertainment Retailers Association; the Guild of Fine Food; Horticultural Trades Association; the Hospitality Guild; Independent Retailers Confederation; National Association of Goldsmiths; National Federation of Meat and Food Traders; National Federation of Retail Newsagents; Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association; National Market Traders Federation.
About People 1st
People 1st is the skills and workforce development charity for the hospitality, passenger transport, retail, leisure, travel, and tourism industries focusing on transforming skills in the sector through the development of world class qualifications in management and leadership, customer service and craft skills. The People 1st Training Company is focused on developing training products that meet the skills needs of employers in the industry.
National Skills Academy for Retail
The National Skills Academy for Retail is a wholly owned subsidiary of People 1st and delivers skills solutions for retailers across the UK through a network of retail skills shops which:
- Provide access to world-class skills and business support for retailers whatever their size, wherever they are located
- Lead the drive for professional, rewarding careers and skills development for everyone who works in retail
- Create a consistent national approach for training and skills in the UK’s largest private sector employer
- Attract talented people into the sector
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