Small business Saturday - love your high street, local MP urges

Local MP Alex Mayer described the annual event as “an ideal time for some Christmas shopping”.

Small Business Saturday has grown into one of the UK’s most successful grassroots campaigns, with last year’s event seeing an estimated £1.1 billion spent with small businesses nationwide.

The event highlights that for every pound spent locally, more of that money stays circulating within the community than when shopping online or with large chains.

There are 4060 small and medium sized local businesses across the Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard constituency, underlining their importance to prosperity and local livelihoods.

Ms Mayer reaffirmed her commitment to championing small firms in Parliament to strengthen high streets across the area. The MP says she plans to vote for a tough new law against late payments and to crack down on fraud on high streets to ensure small firms can thrive on a level playing field.

She continued: “I urge people to explore independent shops they may not have visited before and to share their favourite finds to help local entrepreneurs reach new customers. Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Houghton Regis and surrounding areas are full of creative independent retailers, cafés, tradespeople and start-ups who play an essential role in making town centres vibrant and welcoming.”