Partner Article

Creative and vintage small businesses boosted by Sunderland trader partnership

Independent, Sunderland, and the Sunderland Makers Market have joined forces to bring together a host of creative and vintage businesses on December 6, as they prepare to mark Small Business Saturday, a national campaign that encourages consumers to support small, independent traders within their communities.

The market will offer an exciting range of vintage arts, crafts, jewellery and clothing from some of the North East’s finest small and independent businesses including Ivy Apple Designs, Button Blooms Crafts, and Deborah Cauchi.

Now in its second year, Small Business Saturday highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support independent traders within their region. The annual day takes place on the first Saturday in December, but aims to have a lasting, year round impact on independent retailers.

Independent’s Ben Wall, said: “It’s so important that people get behind small and independent businesses in Sunderland, we’re really pleased to be able to do something to support this nationwide initiative and reinforce the campaign’s message.

“As well as supporting some great businesses, we also hope that the market will open people’s eyes to the talent and creativity that there is within Sunderland.

“We’re really keen to use our space to encourage people to engage with local businesses, whether that be attending an exhibition or a gig, or coming along to a market and buying some great local goods and produce.”

Amongst the diverse range of stalls will be handmade children’s dresses and skirts from Lydia Grace Little Girlswear, luxury cushions and soft furnishings from Arwenlily Cushions, and fine art and glassware from Creative Cohesion, highlighting the wealth of influential small, creative businesses operating in the city.

Ivy Apple Designs’ Danielle Louise Brown, said: “It’s great to see Independent and the Sunderland Makers Market coming together to support local, independent businesses.

“It’s not only a great opportunity for creatives, like myself, to showcase their work but it’s also an invaluable platform for demonstrating that small businesses do, in fact, have a lot to offer.

“I think it is fantastic that Independent has opened up its space to invite a host of traders to participate in Small Business Saturday, allowing us to be part of an initiative that is both relevant and crucial to raising awareness of the independent market place.”

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