Support independent businesses this Small Business Saturday in run-up to Christmas

Local residents are urged to offer vital support to small businesses this Small Business Saturday (5 December) as the national lockdown lifts.

Retail has taken a heavy blow this year, following two national lockdowns to try and curb the spread of Covid-19 – including four weeks of the peak shopping period during the festive season.

A grassroots not-for-profit campaign, Small Business Saturday is celebrated in the UK on the first Saturday of December – a day set aside specifically for supporting, celebrating and championing small businesses.

Last year, 17.6 million shoppers across the UK hit their local high streets on Small Business Saturday – which is now in its eighth year – to provide an important boost for the nation’s 5.8 million small businesses. Research commissioned by founder American Express found that in 2019, an estimated £800 million was spent in small businesses across the UK.

This year, it is more important than ever to support our local high streets and shop locally to help our independent businesses, says local accountant Ruth Pringle.

Ruth, herself a local champion for Small Business Saturday, said: “Now in its eighth year, Small Business Saturday is more important than ever. 2020 has been a pretty daunting year for business and so hard at times. Small businesses are characterised by their innovation and ability to adapt, but with two lockdowns and constant changes in government legislation, that ability has been tested to the absolute limit.

“Our local small businesses are a key part of our communities and it’s been amazing to see the creative ways that many small businesses have modified the way they do business in order to continue to serve their customers and provide the levels of customer service that only small business can provide, from moving online to amended opening hours, local delivery and takeaway services. They are giving it their all to keep going but they need your support.  Never has the old 'use it or lose it' adage been more true.

“I would ask everyone who is able to to make the effort to buy from our local small businesses this weekend, on the run up to Christmas and into 2021.

“You can buy online from all sorts of different businesses or visit the non-essential shops that have been able to reopen this week. Choose small local businesses to buy your Christmas gifts, many cafes and restaurants who are still unable to open are selling vouchers and there are vouchers for all sorts of services and experiences available.

“Tell your social media networks about your favourite small businesses and what makes them special, share and comment on their social media posts. Let’s make this year’s Small Business Saturday the most successful and impactful yet.”

If every adult in Rochdale spent just £5 a week with local independent shops and businesses instead of online or at the big supermarkets or chain stores, it would be worth millions going directly into our local economy and helping our area. Plus, many local small businesses are even offering a delivery or click-and-collect service - simply check their social media pages for more specific and detailed information.

Paul Ambrose, manager of the Rochdale BID, said: “The BID has been working closely with the council and other partners in support of local businesses and the high street and it is great to see that many of our businesses have now reopened.

“Now more than ever we are asking residents to support their local shops and businesses in the run up to Christmas. Remember, shop safely and shop local.”

At a time when our retailers need support more than ever, consider grabbing a few presents for Christmas on Small Business Saturday. And there’s no better time than Small Business Saturday as Rochdale centre will be hosting the Rochdale Food and Artisans’ Fayre the very same day.
 

Read more: Festive markets at Rochdale Riverside this DecemberPublished: 01 December 2020

Or if you’ve finished your Christmas shopping, enjoy a taste of Bavaria with the new Baum Haus.

After all, it’s the thought that counts.