Supporting Small Business Saturday

Cannock Chase Council is supporting Small Business Saturday in Cannock Chase and asking residents to support all of our town centres.

Small Business Saturday UK is a grass-roots campaign which exists to support, promote and inspire small businesses.  It also encourages consumers to shop local and support the independent shops in our town centres.  The day takes place on the first Saturday in December every year, but it is hoped that the campaign will have a lasting impact for small businesses.

Small Business Saturday 2017 will take place on Saturday 2 December, with lots happening across the District and in particular in Cannock Town Centre, a variety of activities sponsored by the Chase Chamber of Commerce and Cannock Chase Traders Association.

On the day, there will be a range of entertainment including; children’s amusements, donkey rides, Santa’s grotto, a music man appearance, market stalls (including Christmas decoration stalls and sweet/savoury foods) and a tombola, the fun will start from 9am until 5pm.

In Hednesford there will be Christmas Artisan Market in Hednesford Town Centre, organized by Hednesford in Partnership, which starts from 9am until 4pm and will include craft stalls, farmers produce and street foods.

Whilst Rugeley does not have an event on Small Business Saturday on Friday 24 November the Christmas Lights in Rugeley will be switched on. The day starts at 2pm with many events organised by the Rugeley Lotto Events team. There will be an outdoor market though the Town selling lots of Christmas things.  There will be an ice skating rink in Market Square. The bucking reindeer will be in Brook Square and there will be snow machines dotted around the Town. There will also be lots of special characters mixing in with the crowd throughout the day from princesses, a dog on a cycle and a nun on a piano.  Father Christmas will be in Brewery Street after the lights are switched on so make sure the children visit him.  The lights will be switched on at 5pm and there will be Fireworks at 8pm to end the evening

Councillor Diane Todd, Town Centre Regeneration Portfolio Leader said “Small Business Saturday is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and support the smaller independent shops in our town centres.”

“We have a lot going on in Cannock Town Centre for Small Business Saturday and would encourage everyone to come along.  It is with thanks to the sponsorship of Chase Chamber of Commerce that we are able to run this event.  We must remember town centre businesses can’t succeed without the support of shoppers.  So I urge you to help me in supporting our town centres.”

Chris Plant, Director at Greater Birmingham Chambers said: “I am really looking forward to seeing small businesses in the town join us for this event - as they are the lifeblood of our town centres. Whether it’s a local solicitor, manufacturer, builder, florist, jeweller or bookshop – all of these companies keep our local communities going; creating jobs, driving growth and ensuring our high streets survive and succeed.”

“We wanted to do something fun to celebrate Small Business Saturday UK this year that would unite all the diverse businesses that are thriving in the town. Both local retailers and professional services can be seen as shining examples in the region, if they use the campaign to promote their businesses, and to shop local too!”

Small Business Saturday originated in the US in 2010 by American Express and first started in the UK in 2013.

Photograph caption:  Cllr Diane Todd pictured with Louisa Van Leeuwen who runs Pretty Little Strange located in the new Market Hall entrance, supported by The Prince’s Trust.