Festive Showcase at No.10 Downing Street

If you've been following our updates on social media, you're likely aware of our recent invitation to the Festive Showcase at 10 Downing Street. Our London experience was truly memorable, and we're thrilled to provide you with all the details and a look at the event's highlights.

JOY by Corrine Smith were invited by Not on the High Street to the Festive Showcase which saw the celebration of British small businesses at the Christmas market style event outside number 10. We were treated to a tour which included the glorious marble staircase featuring portraits of PM’s passed, a sneaky look at Winston Churchill’s desk and we even got to meet Larry the resident mouser cat!

JOY Owner and designer Corrine Smith said: “We met lots of MP’s, business students, Points of Light award winners and lots of other small businesses. It was very fitting that the very first person to come to our stall was MP Joy Morrissey.

“We were handing out our signature JOY necklaces as gifts to spread JOY, and even got to meet Kevin Hollinrake the minister for small business and got to discuss how the government can continue to support small businesses.”

The experience itself was an exciting and important one. Small businesses in the UK are the backbone of British culture, creating jobs and supporting local communities.

Corrine added: “The whole experience that was so important and it was amazing as a business, but for me personally the great staircase was the icing on the cake.

“It really was a privilege to see it in real life, I took so long looking at the portraits and taking in the whole experience that half of the group of small business owners got lost - I was taking too long they had to come back and find us.”

JOY Director Fiona Davies was also in attendance: “It was really exciting to be invited to number 10. The event was very Christmassy there was lots of small businesses serving food and giving away products. It was nice to meet other small businesses from Not on the High Street.

“Unfortunately we didn’t get to meet the PM personally, but I did manage to give Rishi’s wife’s PA one of our 12 Days of JOY Jewellery Advent Calendars so hopefully she likes it.”

The event came ahead of Small Business Saturday, an annual grassroots campaign that encourages people to support small businesses in their communities. To mark the day, ministers will visit independent businesses from across the UK to recognise the value they bring to our daily lives.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Christmas is a very special time of the year where family and friends near and far come together to make new memories, share good food and give thanks. 

“I am delighted to welcome some fantastic small businesses, charities and local communities to Downing Street today to mark this special occasion and celebrate the joy of Christmas. This event is also especially important as we look ahead to Small Business Saturday, which is a great opportunity to showcase the huge impact independent businesses have in driving growth and opportunity in our communities.

“From my family to yours, I wish you a very happy Christmas and a prosperous year ahead.”

Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK said: “Like the wonderful Christmas lights that were switched on at Downing Street, the nation’s 5.5 million small businesses sparkle and shine across the UK. It was fantastic to see the contribution that these businesses make to our local communities and the wider economy highlighted by the Prime Minister at this Christmas showcase."