Small Business Saturday Chiswick Pulls in the Crowds

And Santa arrived on a Red Routemaster bus and departs on scooter

Local traders welcomed customers for Small Business Saturday in Chiswick.

Small Business Saturday is an initiative encouraging local shoppers to stay in their neighbourhood to support local traders.

Mike Moran of Top Hat held his annual 'Thank You' for his customers. Chiswick Pets encouraged generous customers to add to the pile of donations - food, collars, leads, beds, toys etc whatever they have no more use for or wish to donate to the dogs in shelters this Christmas.

Santa was in Chiswick to track down his naughty elves who disappeared from the North Pole. The elves arrived, along with the leader of the Council, Steve Curran, on a red Routemaster bus which parked near the Town Hall.

Santa spent the day visiting local shops, along with his trusty sidekick, whilst his band of elves interacted with the public and encouraged them to visit the participating shops where the kids could collect various stickers and then head to the Chiswick Pop Up at Club Workspace to do some free crafting,and storytelling

Ruth Cadbury MP ran a competition for Small Business Saturday. She asked residents to take a ‘selfie’ of themselves at a local business and tweet it to Ruth or post a picture on the Ruth Cadbury MP Facebook page.

Ruth will choose from the best three ‘selfies’ and the constituent will win a prize. First place is tea and a tour of Parliament with Ruth, which the local business will be invited to attend. Second place is a bottle of wine and third place a box of chocolates. The competition is designed to get people talking about their favourite shops in the constituency and draw attention to great local businesses.

Ruth says ‘Small businesses are so valuable to our local economy. Town centres in Chiswick, Brentford, Isleworth, Osterley and Hounslow all have a range of small businesses set up and run by local people. From shoe repair shops to chocolate makers, these businesses do a brilliant job meeting residents’ demands and play an important role in the area’.

Small Business Saturday is an initiative first started in the U.S. to encourage people to support their local small, independent businesses at this time of year. It has the backing of the Prime Minister and all political parties.

The event is also aimed at creating a more long-term boost for local businesses and the communities they are in.

Councillor Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council said, “We want to make sure our local businesses are given the support they need to thrive as much as possible.  On this, the busiest shopping day in the run up to Christmas, there’s no better time to visit your local High Street and perhaps find something different for your gifts this year and show your support at the same time.”

December 5, 2015