Member Article

Call to support Chester’s small businesses

Chester residents and city visitors are being encouraged to explore the ‘hidden gems’ within the city centre in support of a national campaign that aims to boost small and independent business trade in the UK.

‘Small Business Saturday’ takes place on December 3 and the city’s Business Improvement District (BID), CH1ChesterBID, is urging people to ‘shop local’ and support the city’s small and independent retail business community.

A special video highlighting some of the city’s unique and boutique retailers has been created by CH1ChesterBID. The video features businesses such as the award-winning restaurant Chef’s Table, toy shop Weasel & The Bug, and the recently opened Booth Mansion on Watergate Street. The video can be seen here: goo.gl/uZL9yV.

Carl Critchlow, BID Manager at CH1ChesterBID, said: “Chester is home to some amazing small and independent businesses and we want to use Small Business Saturday to really put them in the spotlight.

“We’ve got so many hidden gems here in the city centre. They are a key part of what makes Chester such a unique shopping destination and we’re encouraging people to get behind Small Business Saturday and explore some of Chester’s boutique stores this Saturday and beyond. The campaign begins in the first weekend of December, so it’s the perfect opportunity to start some Christmas shopping and we’re challenging people to wander off the beaten track and perhaps take a look in a shop, restaurant or bar they’ve never been to before.

“Small and independent businesses are woven into the fabric of Chester city centre – they’re the reason many people come here to visit – but the strength of this community relies heavily on the support of customers. That’s why we’re doing everything we can to champion them and encourage local residents and visitors to get behind our small and independent traders Chester and shop local.”

The Small Business Saturday tour bus visited Chester in the middle of November with the Sheriff of Chester, Cllr Myles Hogg, and Shadow Small Business Minister Bill Esterson attending to help raise awareness of the campaign.

Last year an estimated £623 million was spent with small businesses across the UK on the day – up £119 million on the previous year and an increase in spending of 24%.

For more information about Small Business Saturday, visit https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/

To explore the range of small and independent businesses in Chester, visit http://www.experiencechester.co.uk/what-to-do/

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by CH1ChesterBID .