Eager customers and Southend traders are joining together to celebrate Small Business Saturday on Saturday 6th December.

This popular campaign encourages people to support their neighbourhood’s small firms especially on one of the year’s busiest shopping days.

At the same time, small retailers are urged to showcase their own businesses by registering at economicd@southend.gov.uk AND they can enter the BEST FESTIVE BUSINESS contest too!

Last year over 60 Southend businesses were included in Small Business Saturday, and the Council is aiming for even more participants this year.

The special competition - in partnership with Southend United Football Club - to find Southend-on-Sea’s Best Festive Business will add to the excitements too.

Executive Councillor for Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development, Councillor Graham Longley said: “We hope as many local companies as possible will support Small Business Saturday.

“By becoming involved with this initiative, firms can increase spending and footfall at their premises not just on the day itself, but this extra trading boost can have a lasting momentum.

“We are very much looking forward to the Best Festive Business Competition and we are very grateful to Southend United for teaming up with us for this event.”

To enter this competition, if you are an independent, small to medium business in Southend all you need to do is: 1. Sign up and support Small Business Saturday 2. Decorate your business for Christmas - get creative!

3. Offer an incentive for customers on the day There will be prizes for each of the following areas: • Eastwood • LeighWestcliff • Southend • Southchurch • Thorpe Bay/Shoeburyness To enter please post a picture of your festive business via: @businessonsea on twitter using #xmasbizonsea Or if you don't have twitter, email: economicd@southend.gov.uk and we will post it for you.

The competition deadline is Monday 1st December and the entries will be judged by Southend United.

There will be a winner for each area and the prize will be an advert in a Southend United match programme, a feature on the club’s website and a picture with Southend United Manager, Phil Brown.