Small Business Saturday – support your local high street

Make the most of your high street and support small businesses by shopping locally on Saturday 3 December.

For the fourth year running, Warwickshire County Council has teamed up with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) to promote Small Business Saturday (SBS). Last year people from across the county supported the local economy by spreading the message on Facebook and making a conscious effort to visit local businesses.

Small Business Saturday is a national initiative that celebrates local independent firms, including the traders and retailers that contribute to the unique character and atmosphere of our high streets, town centres and villages.

For local traders wanting to join the campaign and make the most of the opportunity offered by the day, they can visit the Small Business Saturday website to download a social media guide, as well as the logo and digital banner to display online, in shop windows, or at an SBS event.

Warwickshire businesses will also be able to upload their contact information to the My Small Business Finder feature on the website, promoting their special Small Business Saturday events or promotional offers.

The benefits of a vibrant small business sector are considerable. When a member of the public buys from a local business it is worth far more to the local economy. Typically, £1 spent with a small business generates £1.76 to the local economy.

With high street businesses continuing to close across the country, it’s more important than ever that shoppers ‘think local’ to help support and safeguard the future of their local traders.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said:  "Small businesses across our towns and villages add so much to the fabric of our local communities. Apart from providing a level of personal service and quality that’s hard to beat, small businesses create many jobs in our communities. We encourage the public get behind our small businesses for the whole year round, beginning with shopping small on Small Business Saturday.”

Cllr Philip Johnson, Chair of the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, added: “It’s important that we all remember to support our small businesses and 'shop local'. Small businesses are vital to our future because they play such an important role in our local economy and give vibrancy and diversity to our high streets.” 

You can keep up to date with events, news and see the films on our Keep It Local Warwickshire Facebook page and follow us on twitter @keeplocalwarks