CONSUMERS across the north have been urged to support their local shop as part of Small Business Saturday on December 5.
It came as the Small Business Saturday Bus Tour completed a four-venue stop-over at Belfast City Hall, having earlier this week been in Enniskillen, Derry and Banbridge.
The bus is touring the UK to highlight small business success and encourage people to ‘shop local’ and support under-pressure independent retailers on the first big shopping weekend before Christmas.
The UK-wide campaign (www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com) aims to boost small businesses by enabling them to promote offers, discounts and special events in their areas in festive build-up.
When the bus pulled into Belfast on Thursday, businesses from Holywood Arches and Ballyhackamore Business Associations were among independent retailers who popped in, along with Councillor Carole Howard, deputy chair of the City Council’s City growth and regeneration committee.
She said: “Belfast City Council is fully behind the Small Business Saturday campaign which supports independent businesses which are the backbone of our local economy.
“It's important to highlight the offer of our local retailers and traders and encourage people to think local for their Christmas shopping. Small Business Saturday gives small businesses a unique opportunity to promote themselves, generate trade and attract new customers to ensure they continue to shop local.”
Holywood Arches Business Association is hosting a family fun day on Small Business Saturday while Ballyhackamore Business Association is running a family tour in Ballyhackamore Village every Saturday from November 21 to December 19 and the West Belfast Traders Forum will deliver a ‘buy local’ campaign through its loyalty card scheme.
