Will Kirk teams up with BT to digitise UK heritage firms

Will Kirk, recognised for his role on the BBC's "The Repair Shop," has partnered with BT to advocate for the digitisation of heritage businesses in the UK. A new study reveals that two-thirds of small firms value technology for preserving traditions.

BT's research indicates that 81% of businesses established before 1900 credit technology for maintaining their traditions, while 77% attribute new technology as a critical factor for their company's survival. Additionally, 9 in 10 business leaders believe digital tools have opened up new revenue opportunities, with 80% asserting it provides a competitive advantage and 79% saying it has facilitated connections with new customers.

BT's analysis also shows widespread technology adoption among small businesses, with 78% having integrated new tech tools in the past year. Major areas of investment include improved websites (50%), enhanced cybersecurity (48%), and increased social media activities (45%). Furthermore, two in five businesses are driven by advanced technologies such as AI, robotics, or data analytics. Despite this, 22% of businesses still identify as "analogue-first," relying on legacy technologies like landlines and fax machines.

BT supports transitioning from the traditional copper-based Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to modern digital networks. The move aims to ensure the stability and efficiency of business operations, as older networks are more prone to disruptions. BT is assisting its customers in completing this migration by the end of 2025, ahead of PSTN's scheduled retirement in January 2027.

Kerry Small, Chief Operating Officer for Business at BT, commented, "These figures show that the majority of the UK's small businesses have been in upgrade mode this year – embracing the tech to help them thrive in a digital world. Today, businesses of all shapes and sizes can't run without stable, secure connectivity. The UK's analogue copper telephone network has a proud history, with its origins in the 1800s, but it's no longer up to the task for businesses. It's simply too risky to build the economy on a shaky foundation."

Will Kirk added, "Restoring the crafts and artistry of the past is my job, so I know how important it is to preserve tradition for the next generations. Embracing digital tech can help small businesses with decades of history reach new customers, streamline services, and stay competitive. It doesn't mean replacing the heart of what makes heritage businesses unique – it's about giving them the tools they need to hold onto this heritage in an increasingly-digital world."

An example of a successful digital transition is York Supplies in Birmingham. Established in 1947, the hardware store experienced a technological upgrade after being bought by a cooperative when the previous owner retired. This modernisation included fibre-to-the-premises broadband, tablets, and updated point-of-sale systems, which have allowed the business to engage more effectively with customers and expand its offerings.

Richard Bickle, Director of York Supplies Community Society, remarked, "Our business has been around since before fax machines, during which time it's become a huge part of the local community, with generations of customers coming through our door. When we purchased the shop we inherited a long-standing relationship with BT, but the infrastructure needed an upgrade so we could adopt new technologies to grow and market the business. Making the switch to digital has been so easy, with BT engineers explaining and installing everything for us. Our new system quietly supports the business as we venture into social media, and online ordering systems, all to help our heritage business to continue thriving in the 21st century."