This Saturday 6th December marks the second Small Business Saturday. After the campaign’s success last year, I’m pleased to be supporting the vital contribution small businesses make to our community in 2014.
Small Business Saturday is a grass-roots campaign that started in the USA. It encourages people to shop locally and support small and independent businesses in the local community, helping to increase spending on the high street and helps small businesses network with each other too.
Small and independent businesses, like Frank’s Clock Café on Northfield High Street, are an important part of the character of our local area – and are an important source of local jobs too. Small businesses provide almost two-thirds of all employment, and half of all turn over, in the private sector.
That’s why I’m encouraging residents to join me in getting behind our local shops and firms across the Northfield, Kings Norton, Longbridge and Weoley areas tomorrow – and all year round too.
Last year was the largest celebration of small business the country had seen. Nearly half of consumers who knew about the day made purchases because of it, almost £500m of extra trade went to small firms and created a real buzz.
In our area, Lifford Business Association (LBA) are supporting Small Business Saturday – and, among others, shops, restaurants, hairdressers, tattoo artists and beauty salons in Kings Norton will be offering special discounts and hosting events on the day. Find out more here: http://liffordbusinessassociation.co.uk/tag/cotteridge-stirchley-kings-norton-bournville.html
If any local small business owners are interested in promoting their business as part of the celebrations then please see https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/ for more information and ideas.
I hope you’ll join me in backing small businesses this Saturday for what is set to be even biggest and better than last year!