West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris is encouraging locals to support shops across Bath and North East Somerset more than ever.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris at Bath Aqua Glass | Photo © WECA
Mr Norris has urged people to head back to their local high street shops and independent businesses to support Small Business Saturday.
There are around 30,000 small firms across the West of England, from butchers and bakers to pet groomers and pubs. They employ more than 180,000 people across the region.
However, Mr Norris said their contribution is often overlooked, which is why locals making a special effort to support those around them is so important.
The Metro Mayor, who has backed small shops and other local indies as part of his Shop Local campaign, said: “With Christmas on the horizon, it is so important for us to get behind our brilliant small businesses – the beating heart of their communities – and to shop, eat, drink, give, relax and do business locally.
“Whether it’s coffee and cakes at a plush Bath cafe, or one of the many independent and quirky shops across NE Somerset, our region is full of cracking businesses which to do so much to enrich all our lives.
“But they’ve faced huge challenges in recent times, so it’s now more important than ever to get behind them this Small Business Saturday and beyond.
“So please, please, please support your local shops as you do your Christmas shopping, grab a few bits and bobs, or pop into your local eatery – we need to give our Bath and NE Somerset indies all the support we can this winter.”
Now in its tenth year, Small Business Saturday is an annual campaign aiming to boost local high streets by encouraging people to show up for local businesses in their communities.
It is estimated over £1 billion was spent during Small Business Saturday last year.
