Montgomeryshire politicians, Russell George, Glyn Davies and Newtown Mayor, Rina Clarke, are backing local companies taking part in the UK’s first ever celebration of Small Business Saturday and are encouraging the general public to come out and support small firms on their high streets.
On Saturday 7 December 2013, small businesses up and down the UK will be celebrating ‘Small Business Saturday’. Following ‘Black Friday’ and ‘Cyber Monday’, Small Business Saturday is another initiative to cross the Atlantic, in a bid to recognise and promote the important role small businesses play within local communities, as well as helping to generate more trade. In the US, where it’s an established commercial holiday after Thanksgiving, the day generated $5.5 billion in sales in 2012.
In the UK, Small Business Saturday is a grassroots campaign and small businesses of all kinds are getting involved. In Montgomeryshire, a number of small firms are taking part and local AM, Russell George and MP, Glyn Davies, teamed up with Newtown’s Mayor, Cllr Rina Clarke, to visit some of those companies taking part in the town and provide their personal backing to this campaign.
Commenting, Glyn Davies said:
“I think this is a really good initiative, which is driven locally by business and not by governments.
“I would encourage people across Montgomeryshire, to come out on Saturday and show their support by shopping locally.”
Newtown Mayor, Cllr Rina Clarke, said that supporting this initiative showed how serious the Town Council was in fostering town regeneration. She said:
“The Town Council is very committed to regenerating the town centre and we are keen to encourage people to support local shops.”
“If communities like Newtown embrace and embed this concept, then it will be another tool to keep our high streets thriving.”
Assembly Member, Russell George, said that while communities relied on small businesses all year round, it was right that the whole country should take one day in the year to celebrate their value. He added:
“The day matters because small businesses matter; if Small Business Saturday raises the profile of small businesses, it will have done its job.
“There is also no better time for the public to visit towns in Montgomeryshire, as from this weekend until Christmas Eve, Powys Council will be providing free car parking in their main car parks, between 10am and 6pm.
“This is another good initiative to encourage shoppers to come into our town centres, rather than shop in out-of-town outlets.”
