This weekend, people across the West Midlands are being urged to ‘shop local’ and support small firms as part of the annual Small Business Saturday campaign. From artisan makers to family-run shops, the event aims to highlight the vital role these enterprises play in our communities.
Alongside pop-up markets and festive entertainment on many high streets, the initiative has received a boost from a recent visit by Business Minister Blair McDougall. While acknowledging the unique challenges faced by small businesses, such as late payments from larger companies, he emphasised the government’s efforts to provide support through measures like business rate reform and hospitality sector relief.
Becky Foster, organiser of the Black Country Artisan Fairs, explained that the events offer a crucial platform for sellers who cannot afford the overheads of a permanent shop. “The feedback from both shops and shoppers is always so positive,” she said. “We bring people back to the high street.”
One success story is Elite Hampers in Telford, which was among the 100 businesses promoted by the Small Business Saturday campaign this year. Founder Jeevan Punj, who previously worked as an optician, described how she set up the gifting service during the pandemic, overcoming “imposter syndrome” to create bespoke hampers.
On Saturday, Punj will be sending hampers as gifts to 10 other small businesses, embodying the campaign’s message to “support your local small business as much as possible, whether online or on the high street.”
Councillors across the region have also emphasised the importance of small enterprises. Stafford shire County Council noted that small firms make up nearly 90% of companies in the area, while Visit Worcestershire highlighted how the county is “shaped by its micro-business community.”
With Christmas markets, free parking, and a range of festive activities, local authorities are doing their part to drive footfall and boost trade for independent stores and artisans. As Alan Cusack of Honeybourne Pottery in Worcestershire put it, “Every purchase, booking and visit makes a real difference to the people behind the business.”