Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, spent a recent Saturday morning visiting several small businesses in Rayleigh, such as Alba Rose Jewellers, Byfords, Feathering Your Nest, Rayleigh Hi-Fi, Rayleigh Fruit & Veg and Squires Coffee Shop, to show his support for Small Business Saturday - a nationwide initiative aiming to give the country’s estimated five million independent businesses a boost in the run up to Christmas.
The Small Business Saturday initiative, which encourages shoppers to buy locally and from smaller retailers has been organised for the first time in the UK and received backing by the Prime Minister. The campaign has run successfully in the USA for four years and has succeeded in providing a boost worth billions of pounds every year to smaller local shops.
Over 120 small businesses in the Rochford District took part in Small Business Saturday by decorating their offices and shops, providing special discounts to customers and giving away prizes.
Rochford District Council worked in partnership with Hockley Parish Council, Rayleigh Town Council, Rochford Parish Council, Chambers of Trade and local small businesses to provide various activities and events, and encouraged the public to support their local small businesses.
Commenting on the initiative, Mark said:
“I was pleased to be able to show my support for Small Business Saturday by visiting a selection of the many small businesses we have in Rayleigh. It is important to spread the message that we have fantastic independent shops in our villages and market towns that are really worth a visit, not just on one Saturday but all year round as without local support, many might find it hard to thrive in the face of competition from chain stores, which aren’t always able to offer the same personal touch.”