Independent businesses hope for bumper community support ahead of Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday, which supports small and independent retailers, is set to give those struggling businesses a helping hand by encouraging people to shop in local stores.

The campaign, now in its eighth year, hopes to see a boost amid the end of England’s national lockdown.

Organisers of the event have said lockdowns have ‘boosted the nation’s love for UK small businesses’, with 59 per cent of Brits saying they now support local businesses more than previously.

‘This crisis has brought home just how much small firms are at the heart of our communities,’ Michelle Ovens, director of Small Business Saturday, said.

‘They have been there for customers and shown strength, determination and agility in coping. It’s no wonder that support for Britain’s small businesses is rocketing.

The News launched the #supportlocal campaign to highlight businesses around this area and the variety they bring to our high streets.

Businesses have endured an unparalleled year of hardships but with the second lockdown now over, Small Business Saturday now offers a further chance for customers to get behind their local shops.

Martina Spencer, owner of Endless Gifts, in the Meridian Centre, Havant, is confident people will show their support. ‘We hope people will come out on Saturday to support us all,’ the 49-year-old said.

‘Havant is a nice place and people do come here but there are lots of empty units in the shopping centre which is grim.

‘We hope that over the next three weeks we will at least be able to pay off all our bills. We wouldn’t be here if not for the government grant of £10,000 which has saved us.

‘We’ve had lots of locals saying they are glad we are open so we look forward to seeing people.’

Crystal Young, who owns Button Up Baby, also in Havant’s Meridian Centre, said: ‘Ideally it will be very busy on Saturday - often the three weeks up to Christmas are really busy.

‘I have that time to shift an entire season’s worth of stock after the lockdowns...but we have a good customer base who support us.

‘There seems to be more of a shop local spirit with people coming in who would not normally come in. Even one purchase makes a difference.

‘I think people realise we are not lining our pockets like the big shops. It is our livelihoods and pays the bills.

‘With small businesses you can see the quality in person as opposed to online shopping, while our customer service is often better than the larger chains because we care about finding the perfect gift.

‘With online and large chains it can be a cold and empty experience and the staff don’t care as much, whereas for us it is our business.’

Wendy Budd, who runs Budd's Herbal Apothecary in Albert Road, Southsea, said of Small Business Saturday: ‘Anything that supports shops after they battering they have taken can only be a good thing.

‘We’ve had a lot of people coming in the shop saying they will support local for Christmas now.

‘The government should do something that makes a real difference.’

Cafe worker Cocos Gabriella and director Cengiz Kaya at Cosham cafe Nino’s said: ‘People are still scared to come in. We have a lot of older customers and they are still very scared. I’m sure it will get better.’

Regarding the plight of the high street, he said: ‘Of course it will be harder for us as more shops close.

‘But in this pandemic, everyone is suffering.’

Jay Twyford, 29, from Gosport and Steve Lowry, 40, from Stubbington, who work at The Lair tattoo and body piercing studio said they were pleased to be open again after a tough time.

Steve said: ‘It has been horrendous. As we are self employed and have only been self employed for less than a year we didn’t qualify for any government help.

‘We opened a food bank from the studio to help others during lockdown.

‘We are just glad to get back. We were desperate to get back to work. I hope people will come and support us.’

Jay said: ‘We have lots of Christmas deals, I’m doing buy one get one free on piercing, we have not been able to open or earn. We hope people support us now.’

David Rose, 38, from Gosport, has just opened Black Rose Barber Collective with his wife Mandy.

He said: ‘It has been quite busy. Hopefully lockdown has opened people’s eyes a little and made them realise there are some excellent small businesses right here in Gosport and they don’t need to travel far to get to them.’

Shane Davies, who runs the Crafty Makery in Fareham Shopping Centre, said: ‘We have lots planned, we are starting a new dads and granddads club on a Sunday, and have lots of craft activities happening like wreath making, Christmas decorations, Christmas Eve boxes.

‘We are encouraging people to visit in their household bubbles. We are helping people through craft and play, and there’s so much more of a need for that now.’

Aleks Vuksani, 43, from Southsea hopes to see a boost in trade at Safia’s Barbers in Fareham Shopping Centre.

He said: ‘It has been so quiet the last four weeks as we have been shut through lockdown. We are pleased to be back in action.’

Customer Colin White, 77, from Waterlooville, said: ‘In Waterlooville everything is closing, it’s a sorry sight. Safia’s is a great barber, I always come here and I’m very happy, even though I haven’t got a lot of hair left.’

Phil Mayhew and John Beynon, sales associates at Sky Customer Hub in Fareham Shopping Centre said: ‘We are hoping things will pick up, we were able to work from home throughout lockdown but we prefer being here.

‘We are open so come and see us and we can help you with your Sky needs.’

SEE ALSO: Shops and businesses reopen

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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