On Saturday 6th of December, Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns visited a number of businesses in Westbourne to support Small Business Saturday, an initiative that aims to encourage people to ‘shop local’ and support their high streets.
Along with Council Leader and Westbourne councillor John Beesley, Conor visited several local businesses, including the butcher, the baker, and the English sparkling wine-maker. Conor also had the opportunity to present Polished Nail Salon and Boutique with the award for Westbourne’s Best Dressed Christmas Window.
Commenting after the event, Conor said ‘I have had a very enjoyable day speaking with just some of the fantastic businesses to be found in Westbourne. The initiative shown by Westbourne Traders Association in timing their Christmas light switch-on to coincide with Small Business Saturday has ensured that the whole community has come together in support, and it has been great to see the area so busy.
"Especially in this age when so much of our shopping is done online or in supermarkets, events like Small Business Saturday are crucial in reminding us of the excellent local businesses we have on our doorsteps that we perhaps take for granted, and I hope it encourages people to use independent traders more often.’
Small Business Saturday is a nationwide, non-political, and non-commercial campaigned aimed at encouraging consumers to shop locally and endorsing grassroots businesses. Centred at championing the 5 million small businesses across the UK, Small Business Saturday takes place annually on the first shopping Saturday of December, and aims to have a lasting impact all year round, providing jobs and growing the economy.