Shoppers in Inverclyde are being encouraged to shop local this weekend in support of a national campaign backing small businesses.

Tomorrow (Saturday 4 December 2021) is the annual Small Business Saturday encouraging consumers to buy locally.

It is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages shoppers to support small businesses in their communities.

The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small enterprises.

On Small Business Saturday, customers across the UK are encouraged to go out and support all types of small businesses, online, in offices and in stores, while many small businesses take part in the day by hosting events and offering discounts.

Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, said:

“As a former small business owner myself, I know all too well the challenges small businesses face at the best of times let alone during these pandemic times we’re currently living in.

“That’s why it’s important we do all we can to support our wealth of local enterprises and the easiest way of doing that is by having a look at the many wonderful retailers and providers we have right on our doorstep and ‘shop local’.

“As a local authority, we’re also doing as much as we can to support businesses through the Discover Inverclyde call to action and website, the newly-established Discover Inverclyde Food and Drink group and the Inverclyde Works campaign, which includes a variety of grants and subsidies available from the council.

“Small businesses really are the backbone of our economy and play such an important role here in Inverclyde in our towns and villages offering choice and variety of products and services and providing employment opportunities.”

More information about what Inverclyde has to offer is available at www.discoverinverclyde.com and to find out more about Small Business Saturday, visit smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com.