Hambleton visitors and residents are being urged to support local businesses as they stage local events and fayres as part of the annual celebrations for ‘Small Business Saturday’.
The district is home to 3,500 small enterprises which are all crucial to the vitality of the area and many run by people who are intensely loyal to Hambleton.
The 2 December aims to encourage customers spend their money in independent local business rather than big high street chains.
Dan Stark from Stark Farm Bakery, who will be at his pop up shop in Chapel Street said, “It is critical, particularly at this time of year, for residents and visitors to support their local traders – spending with small, independent firms in the run up to Christmas. There is some great local produce and Easingwold is such a great market town.”
The Federation of Small Businesses has joined forces with Hambleton District Council to encourage business growth and stability – not just on 2 December but throughout the year.
“Small independent businesses like Dans are the grassroots of our towns,” said District Councillor, Mrs Bridget Fortune, who is pictured with Dan and Catherine Windross from the Federation of Small Businesses.
“We want to keep our market towns vibrant and attractive places to live and work – and urge everyone to think local in the run up to the festive season.”
Small Business Saturday UK is a non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to support small businesses in their communities. The day itself takes place on the first shopping Saturday in December, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses. Customers spent £717 million on Small Business Saturday last year an increase of 15% on the year before.
- Easingwold hosts its’ Christmas market on 2 December at The Galtres Centre, showcasing many local businesses as well as ‘Wold Class’ – the new brand for the Easingwold business community, Bedale is having a Christmas Festival and Market and in Northallerton there is a Christmas Tree festival.