Small Business Saturday focus on local independent retailers

The initiative, taking place on December 6 throughout the UK, encourages shoppers to explore and support their local independent retailers.

This week, the Small Business Saturday team is travelling around the country in a blue and white bus.

Michelle Ovens, national campaign director, explained: “Our bus tour last year was a very visible way of bringing Small Business Saturday to centres around the UK and was instrumental in drumming up interest, support 
and enthusiasm.

“We are visiting even more places this year and hope small business owners and consumers will visit and find out ways in which they can support small businesses and make the day work in their own communities.”

The Duke of York showed his support by tweeting: “Good luck with today’s part of the tour! A great initiative supporting smaller UK businesses.”

The campaign has also been backed by prime minister David Cameron, who said: “I have the utmost admiration for the millions of people who run a small business in this country.

“They are making an enormous contribution to our economic recovery and their hard work and commitment embodies all that is great about the UK. Small Business Saturday is a vital reminder that we need to celebrate small businesses not just on one day, but all year round.”

Small businesses in the southside and East Renfrewshire have been trying to boost high street footfall in recent years with initiatives from BID teams I Love Clarkston and Giffnock Village, as well as groups promoting Shawlands as a shopping destination.

The Extra’s Shop Local, Eat Local, Play Local campaign aims to give southside businesses a further boost, with editor Allan Hodge commenting: “We have been delighted to play our part in encouraging more people to do business locally - Small Business Saturday mirrors these aims and we hope people will do more of their Christmas 
shopping locally.”

For more info, visit www.facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturdayuk or tweet @SmallBizSatUk.