07/10/2013 - Permalink

Shropshire businesses encouraged to support Small Business Saturday on 7 December

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Shropshire Council is encouraging the county’s small businesses to support ‘Small Business Saturday’, a new national initiative being held on 7 December 2013 – one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Supported by The Prime Minister, the Government and all major political parties, Small Business Saturday has been launched to celebrate what small businesses of all kinds do both locally and nationally, and to ask everyone to make a special effort to support and do business with them, both on the day and beyond.

The Small Business Saturday initiative started in the United States in 2010 and has so far generated $5.5bn for small businesses in the USA.  It is hoped that this success will be replicated in the UK.

The British Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses have signed up to the UK initiative, which is supported by American Express and O2.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for business growth, said:

“This fantastic initiative is a great way to promote and support Shropshire’s small businesses, which make a massive contribution to the local, and national, economy.

“It’d be great if the success Small Business Saturday has enjoyed in the USA could be replicated in the UK, and here in Shropshire.

“I encourage all of our small businesses and their customers to get behind this campaign, and think about what they can do to support Small Business Saturday and how they can promote small businesses in their area.  I’d be happy to see and hear any suggestions and to find out what our businesses have planned.”

The national Small Business Saturday campaign will be using Facebook and twitter to share information good ideas, success stories and photos.

To keep up to date with what is going on, ‘like’ the Small Business Saturday Facebook page or follow @SmallBizSatUK on Twitter.

Shropshire businesses wanting more information about how to support Small Business Saturday or wishing to share what they are doing on the day can contact Susan Coleman, Shropshire Council’s business support officer, susan.coleman@shropshire.gov.uk, tel 01743 252597.

Latest figures show that more than nine out of 10 businesses in Shropshire employ fewer than 10 people. During 2011 these small businesses helped to create 2,300 additional jobs in Shropshire.