Member Article

Chancellor attends Small Business Saturday Christmas Fair

Small business owners from across the UK were welcomed to a special Christmas Fair last week in The Treasury’s Internal Drum to mark the UK’s third Small Business Saturday the following day.

Sixteen small businesses representing the UK’s “Northern Powerhouse” showcased their products and services in specially constructed chalets at the Fair, which was attended by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne.

Small Business Saturday, a grassroots, not-for-profit campaign, places small, independent businesses in communities across the country in the national spotlight. Its aim is to prompt people to both spend money with small independent businesses in the run-up to Christmas and also create a mind-set to support them all year round.

The focus on small businesses from the “Northern Powerhouse” is part of a Government initiative to boost economic growth in the North of England. The programme aims to rebalance the UK economy away from London and the South East.

The Chancellor, George Osborne, commented:

“Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity to champion some of the brilliant entrepreneurs and firms we have in this country and make sure everyone is aware of the powerful role they play.”

“Small Business Saturday has become an exceptional example of collaboration and co-operation with small businesses teaming up in communities around the UK,” explains Campaign Director Michelle Ovens.

“We aim to showcase the level of diversity, innovation and talent that is active within our small business sector. Small Business Saturday works towards persuading people to get out and support their friends, neighbours and family members and reinforce local communities and economies.”

The businesses represented in the Christmas Fair were:

Awesome Merchandise, a customised merchandise business from Leeds. BexyBoo, a personalised cards and gifts business from Knutsford. Bloomingdeals, a garden supplies business in Bolton. Caittom Publishing, a professional writing services business from Burton On Trent. Debbie Bryan, a shop and tearoom based in Nottingham’s Lace Market. Emmeline Illustrations, an award-winning illustrator from Chorley, Lancashire. Gear for Girls, a women’s outdoor clothing shop in Wooler, Northumberland. Hi Viz Safety, a health and safety business from Crowle, near Scunthorpe. Libby Butler Jewellers, an independent jewellery retailer at Helmsley, near York. Market Delivered, an online business based in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, which enables you to shop at your local market, book a delivery slot and pay for it all online. Neon Creations, a designer and manufacturer of neon lights in Bolton. Parker Sourcing, a Technical & Construction Recruitment company in Bolton. Pennine Cycles, an independent bicycle retailer in Bradford. Roseannah, a fairtrade fashion business with shops in Sheffield and Manchester. Shake Social, a social media marketing company in Nottingham. York Cocoa House, a chocolate emporium in the heart of York.

The campaign benefits from the backing of leading business organisations including the Federation of Small Businesses. American Express was the founder of the campaign in the US and is the principal supporter of Small Business Saturday UK, as part of its on-going commitment to encourage consumers to shop small. The campaign is also supported by a number of other large corporates, including Vistaprint, TalkTalk Business, Indeed, Sage, PRS for Music & PPL.

More information on Small Business Saturday can be found on the Small Business Saturday Facebook page (www.facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturdayuk) Twitter page (@SmallBizSatUk) and website (www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com).

Ends.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Howard Robinson .