Cheshire's Wine School joins ranks of Small Biz 100

The Wine School of Cheshire, based in Chester, 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 5^th. December 2020, the Small Biz 100 provides a major profile boost to small businesses across the UK, particularly at this challenging time.

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 10^th. November 2020 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 6 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.

About Small Business Saturday UK  

Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local' and to support businesses in their communities. 

In its eighth year Small Business Saturday is the UK's most successful small business campaign, which last year saw an estimated £800 spent with small businesses across the UK on Small Business Saturday, with a record turnout of 17.6 million people choosing to shop small on the day.

The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, but with an impact that lasts all year round. 

This year Small Business Saturday takes place on 5 December 2020. 

https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com

About The Wine School of Cheshire

Richard J. Smith founded The Wine School of Cheshire in 2013 after noticing the city of Chester (and the wider county of Cheshire) lacked an enjoyable form of wine education from an independent voice, as a more entertaining alternative to the sales focused, supplier led wine tastings on offer: a turn off for many who want to learn more about wine without feeling pressured to buy. 

Richard graduated from Norwich Hotel School in 1990 and further trained at the world- renowned Lanesborough Hotel on Hyde Park Corner, London: a former winner of Best Hotel in the World from Condé Nast. Richard also enjoyed several years at London’s Savoy Group and Four Seasons-Regent Hotels. He is proud to include several members of the British Royal Family as well as international heads of state and a host of top celebrities among his past clients. He went on to be a private butler before moving to Cheshire.

Richard has worked with a number of organisations assisting with training and development within the hospitality industry including The Cheshire College South and West at their Ellesmere Port Campus. Richard is delighted to have also entered into a long-term partnership with Coleg Cambria in North Wales from April 2019 working closely with their successful hospitality school.

Richard has been featured in The Daily Mail and Cheshire Life magazine. He has recently appeared at Three Wine Men in Manchester alongside TV wine legends Oz Clarke, Olly Smith and Tim Atkin MW and has presented English and Welsh wines in partnership with Wines of Great Britain for four consecutive years at RHS Tatton Park and will appear again at the 2021 show. In March 2019 Richard was proud to be intronised into the Confrérie des Compagnons de Grandgousier at a ceremony in The Loire Valley in recognition for his support of the region, particularly Touraine and Touraine-Mesland. Richard hosts tastings and talks for Loire Valley wine around the UK with 2021 appearances scheduled for Cheltemham, Harrogate, Oxford and London.

https://cheshire.wine