Statistics highlighted by FSB ahead of Small Business Saturday (December 7) show that in 2019 there were 396 registered businesses per 10,000 adults in Scotland.

By comparison in 2010 the equivalent figure was just 357.

The official figures also show that almost all (99.3%) of Scottish businesses are small or medium-sized. These operators now provide an estimated 1.2 million jobs in Scotland – more than half of all private-sector employment.

Andrew McRae, FSB’s Scotland policy chair, said: “The last decade has been no walk in the park for Scotland’s economy. We’ve had to shake off the hangover from the financial crisis, seen individual industries rise and fall, and faced an extremely changeable political climate.

“But despite it all, we’ve also seen a rise in the number of registered businesses per head of population. This demonstrates that across Scotland we’ve still got a large number of people that want to start up on their own and many others working hard to grow and sustain their business.”

FSB is urging people across Scotland to use Small Business Saturday to give their local small business community a boost – while making the case for government, big business and citizens to look to smaller operators all year round.

Mr McRae added: “This Small Business Saturday we want to see Scottish high streets bustling with people choosing to spend their money with independent businesses. It doesn’t matter if you meet a pal for a coffee, pick up a Christmas present for a loved one, or get your cupboards stocked for the week ahead.”

In 2018, £812m was spent with small businesses across the UK on Small Business Saturday. Now in its seventh year, FSB is a proud supporter of the Small Business Saturday campaign.

Mr McRae continued: “If we want to hold onto our local economies and communities, then local small businesses need our support all year round.  That’s why FSB works every week of the year to convince key decision-makers to back small business.

“But let’s keep it simple this weekend – when we’re maybe spending a bit more than normal – and simply urge people to spend their hard-earned cash with those with a foot in their community.”

Business minister Jamie Hepburn, commented: “These figures highlight the important contribution small and medium-sized enterprises make to the Scottish economy. It is fantastic to see such a big increase in the number of businesses in Scotland over the last decade. This weekend’s Small Business Saturday offers an ideal opportunity to celebrate these businesses and the 1.2 million jobs they support across the country.”