Shoppers in Sunderland are being urged to back local businesses and search for seasonal bargains closer to home.
Small Business Saturday, which runs nationwide on December 5, is designed to raise awareness of small companies, including retailers, and help boost their footfall by encouraging more people to shop locally.
Sunderland’s Business Improvement District, Experience It Here! is backing the Government initiative and urging the city’s residents and visitors to show their support on the day, and beyond.
Ken Dunbar, Chief Executive of Sunderland BID, said: “There are a whole host of small and independent businesses in Sunderland, offering a wide range of amazing products, as well as outstanding levels of customer service.
“We hope that Small Business Saturday will help these retailers to step out of the shadows left by larger stores and household names, as well as encouraging more people to utilise them for their Christmas shopping.”
Small Business Saturday, which was first developed in the US, has been running the UK for the past three years, with more than five million businesses expected to be involved in 2015.
It is being supported by Sunderland BID as part of a series of events designed to attract visitors to the city during the busy Christmas period. This also includes the creation of a magical Frost Village around Keel Square, featuring an ice rink, market and fun fair.
For more information visit www.sunderlandchristmas.co.uk
