Witney News - West Oxfordshire supporting Small Business Saturday 2016

West Oxfordshire supporting Small Business Saturday 2016

West Oxfordshire District Council is supporting Small Business Saturday on 3 December 2016 and is urging people to shop locally at independent retailers and reminding everyone that car parking is free in the District throughout the year.

The campaign focuses on Saturday 3 December which, in the run up to Christmas, is one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Carterton in West Oxfordshire was recently chosen to be part of a national bus tour drumming up interest, support and enthusiasm for Small Business Saturday on 3 December.

The bus tour, from Aberdeen to Bournemouth, stopped off in the town on 14 November and offered free workshops and business advice.

Cllr Jeff Haine, Cabinet Member for Economic Development said, “Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity to promote the wonderful range of small businesses and independent retailers in the District. We were delighted that Carterton welcomed the Small Business Saturday tour bus to West Oxfordshire and also very proud that Chipping Norton has, once again, been short-listed for a Great British High Streets award. Witney, Burford and Woodstock are extremely popular and a huge draw for shoppers and visitors. We believe that key to the growth and success of our towns and villages is free car parking all year round.”

Retailers can tap into a wealth of resources on the Small Business Saturday website to help them take part in the day and promote their businesses. Campaign organisers are holding a range of free talks and workshops on a number of topics, from turning an idea into a business, through to marketing or growing a small business.

Last year’s Small Business Saturday reached more than 25 million people on Twitter and people spent a total of £623 million with small businesses on the day.