Search starts for best self-employed traders

The growing number of self-employed people could overrun a national competition to find the best tiny traders, as it says entries are expected to run into the thousands.

The FSB also said that the high level of confidence displayed by those who work for themselves was another reason that submissions to its contest are “expected to exceed 2,000.”

Run annually, the Celebrating Small Business Awards will bestow titles such as Digital Innovation of the Year, Micro Business of the Year and Stat-Up Business of the Year.

Business owners can also nominate themselves for eight other titles, including Young Entrepreneur of the Year (open to the under 30s), and Ethical Business of the Year.

“Small businesses and the self-employed from across the UK contribute so much to our economy and our communities,” the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said.

“[These awards] recognise the best, most innovative and most determined of these, from every sector, industry and background.

“This is why we choose to keep entries to the awards free, and have them open to all smaller businesses and self-employed people.”

Twelve area finals will be taking place between January and April 2019 across the UK, with the UK national final taking place on May 23rd 2019 at Evolution Battersea, London.

At the event, 10 UK category award winners will be announced from which the FSB Small Business of the Year 2019 will be chosen. To be in with a chance, enter online.