SMALL Business Saturday is just a week away and shops and stores are gearing up to welcome hordes of customers.

The Government-backed scheme, urging people to support local shops, while doing their Christmas shopping takes place on Saturday.

It aims to raise the profile of small businesses across the country and highlight the huge range of goods on offer from smaller traders.

In Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff, shoppers can explore exclusive fashion shops, with some of the world’s top-brand names in clothing, both for men and women, as well as Havens, one of the longest-runningindependent department stores in the area.

Shops will be hosting live entertainment and giving out refreshments and some car parks in Southend and other areas will also be free.

Towns throughout the Rochford district will also be taking part in the day’s celebrations.

Balloons and bunting will decorate the shops, and many will be holding competitions and promoting special offers throughout the day.

Mike Steptoe, Rochford district councillor responsible for enterprise, said: “Small Business Saturday reminds us how important it is to support our smaller businesses.

“Being a business owner myself, I can really see the benefits of this campaign and would encourage other businesses to join in.

“We are very fortunate to have a variety of small, independent businesses based in the Rochford district and I want to encourage residents to show their support by shopping locally on December 6.”

Denise Rossiter, chief executive of Essex Chamber of Commerce said: “This initiative is great. It allows smaller traders to have the recognition of all they do for the county.

“There is a lot of support for small businesses but they need to be recognised as part of the economy.

There should be more of the se events instead of just once a year. It’s great to encourage people to think local and to buy local produce and fabulous gifts.”

Jewellery Paradise, on Canvey, Balloons at From Me To You, in Hadleigh, JD Cycles, in Thundersley, and Mr Brown’s Traditional Sweet Shoppe, at Tarpots, are among the businesses taking part in Castle Point Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point, said: “Initiatives like Small Business Saturday are a great way of showing our support for small businesses, which are the lifeblood of a healthy economy, helping to create jobs and growth.”

Basildon has geared up for a number of attractions around the day.

Mike Horton, manager of the Eastgate Centre, said: “We always have things going on, it is not just about this Saturday. We have a big programme of activities going on until Christmas.

“The more people you can attract into town the better.”

“We teamed up with Basildon Council for the launch of Christmas in Basildon and we saw a dramatic increase of people coming in and we had a superb turnout. The traders loved it.”

 

SMALL Business Saturday is aimed at supporting, inspiring and promoting small businesses.

All kinds of small businesses can get involved, whether they are a family businesses, local shops, online businesses, wholesalers or small manufacturers, Small Business Saturday is there offering support.

Anyone interested in getting involved should visit www.smallbusiness saturdayuk.com/ where they will be able to download a digital pack and local marketing pack.

Companies can also follow the scheme on Facebook and on Twitter – follow @SmallBizSatUK More information can also be obtained by emailing comms@smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com

Echo comment

WHILE shoppers flocked to take advantage of cut-price big name brands on Black Friday, here is an event which will remind them there are plenty of bargains to be had in little shops and stores locally.

The frenzy, first made famous across the Atlantic, sees dozens of big-name businesses slash their prices.

However, shoppers wouldn’t have been shopping in our smaller outlets, and if you look at our High Streets, they are awash with bigname retailers.

That’s why it’s important to back the local traders on Small Business Saturday.

They form the bedrock of our communities and have helped make our shopping areas thrive. Small businesses give that little bit something different, unlike High Streets plagued with the usual pound shops, Tesco Expresses and department stores.

Take, for example, Leigh and Thorpe Bay Broadways.

Part of the lustre of these shopping strips is that they’re full of independent traders, and offer something different to our High Streets as we know them now.