Small Business Saturday reaches millions of customers and businesses each year and this year it is taking place on Saturday 1 December. We are encouraging everyone in Sandwell to get involved and support our local businesses.

So, what is Small Business Saturday? It’s a grass roots, non-commercial campaign that highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.

Customers across the UK are being encouraged to go out on Small Business Saturday and support all types of small businesses – in stores, in offices and online. Small businesses are encouraged to take part on the day by hosting events and offering discounts.

The Black Country Growth Hub will be hosting a special Small Business Saturday drop-in clinic at Whynot Coffee on Bearwood Road in Bearwood. Drop in for coffee and networking from 9am, and find out about the support available for your business.

Although the day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses by making consumers aware of the benefits of shopping local all year round.

Last year’s Small Business Saturday was the most successful campaign yet, with an estimated £748m being spent on the day and over 115,000 tweets reaching more than 115m people, with the hashtag #SmallBizSatUK trending at number one in the UK.

The hope is that this year’s Small Business Saturday will be even bigger and better. There are lots of ways to get involved, both as a small business and as a customer. For some ideas check out the Small Business Saturday website.

So, come on Sandwell, let’s get behind our business community. Whether you are a family business, local shop, online business, wholesaler, business service, small manufacturer or a customer, make sure you get involved!