Let's get behind Blackpool's shops for Small Business Saturday

The removal of lockdown restrictions after December 2 means that Small Business Saturday on Saturday, December 5, will be the first of three Saturdays to champion local shops and within our communities.

Now in its eighth year, Small Business Saturday UK last year saw an estimated £800 million spent in small businesses by a record 17.6 million customers.

American Express, who founded the grassroots campaign in the US, remains the principal supporter of the crusade committed to encouraging consumers to buy on their doorstep.

“Our local communities are richer and more vibrant for the presence of these independents. People across the UK are behind them like never before,” said Dan Edelman from American Express. “It’s so important we all continue to support our favourite local small businesses.”

Both the Federation of Small Businesses and British Independent Retailers Association continue to encourage customers to “stay local, shop local”.

Federation of Small Businesses national chair Mike Cherry emphasised: “Small businesses are well and truly at the heart of our communities.

“That’s why it’s never been more important to support your local firms and, by extension, the community in which you live”.

British Independent Retailers Association chief executive Andrew Goodacre agreed.

“The run-up to Christmas is an essential time for retail. Shopping is safe. All the evidence tells us that.

“Money spent locally is recycled locally, often paying for local suppliers, local people for their work and preserving local livelihoods. Every thriving community needs this local economy to prosper.”

A Small Business Saturday spokesman said: “The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses.”

Small businesses in Blackpool are right behind the campaign.

After a nightmare three years and a particularly tough 2020, Big Woody’s skate shop on Talbot Road, near the junction with Devonshire Road, certainly hopes for a good run up to Christmas.

Woody and Andrea Clayton have had to deal with the disruption of Talbot Road caused by the new tramway, in which they lost thousands of pounds, a move to their current premises in Layton - and then the pandemic lockdowns this year.

Woody and Andrea Clayton, who have run the business for 18 years, are backing Small Business Saturday and hope Blackpool's shoppers will too.

The pair say that actually visiting shops rather than shopping online has massive advantages.

Woody said: "We are not just a business selling things, the whole ethos behind this place is that I want our customers to get as much enjoyment out of skateboarding that I have had, over the last 44 years.

"When you buy something online you make a few clicks on the screen and you hear no more about it until the things is delivered.

"But when you go into a shop you can have a proper look at what you want to buy and you can ask questions and get all the help and advice you need."

Andrea said: "You can't beat all the knowledge and experience we have here, to help people get the best out of this sport."

Woody said that despite the lockdown and pandemic, sales in the shop have been steady but the couple are encouraging residents to shop local.

He added: "It’s definitely a case of use or you will lose it."

Mark Yates, who owns the Brooks Collectables shop at the Promenade end of Bond Street, is encouraging shoppers to visit independent businesses in Blackpool in the weeks before Christmas.

His shops sells an eclectic mix of vintage toys, contemporary gifts, seaside souvenirs, film-related merchandise and much else besides.

Mark, who runs the business with wife Amanda, said: "It has been tough in 2020, I've jokingly called this a gap year!

"We haven't been able to visit the normal trade fairs we usually do at this time of year so we've had to be creative - we've posted videos on Instagram and YouTube to try and bring people into the shop.

"I can understand the appeal of buying online but you just don't get the full shopping experience that way.

"When people come in here they can discover lots of amazing things they would probably never see on the internet.

"You just can't beat the personal touch you get when you actually visit a shop.

"I would say people should support their local shops and make the most of them while they are here.

And he adds: "It's not even true to say things are cheaper online, once you have paid the postage and packing."

Despite the challenges, Mark hopes the business will be around for some time yet - after all, it has been there for 72 years.

Businesswoman Katie James, who runs the Hermosa Boutique, in Church Street. with her friend and business partner, Mica Pullen, says the town's high street itself will be at risk if people don't shop there.

She said: " We are a small independent business and I would definitely ask people to come and support not just shops like ourselves, but the town centre itself.

"A lot of of the bigger and smaller shops are struggling and if people just shop online they will close and we'll just have boarded up shops.

"I do a lot of my business over Facebook but i will always want to have a shop where I can greet customers.

"I want them to have the chance to shop browse, and try on, because you can't get that online.

"I am definitely supporting Small Business Saturday."

The business, whose name means beautiful in Spanish, was founded in 2018 as a one stop shop for glamour in Blackpool.

But while the store has to remain closed, the team has been busy online to engage with customers.

Katie said: "The lockdowns have been a challenge to everyone.

"We are hoping to make up for it before Christmas and I would ask people to just shop local and support their town centre."

Regent Cinema and market owner Rick Taylor says shoppers should savour the experience of being able to browse in independent shops because they always have something unique to offer.

The Regent market has been running for six years and, like the 1930s art deco cinema upstairs, is an independent enterprise.

Rick says: "We have 50 independent stallholders here and there are some who actually make the items they are selling.

"You wouldn't get that on Amazon, would you?

"I like to think of Blackpool's shops and the Regent itself as hidden gems.

"Here you could pick up a vintage top hat or two-piece sofa at the same time.

"If people don't support their local shops they will struggle to survive and once they are gone, they will be lost for good.

"When people shop local, they are doing their bit for the country as well, because some of these big international companies don't pay tax."

Although the cinema has been hit by the Tier 3 ruling, the market will open all this month and Rick is hoping people will do their bit to support Small Business Saturday.