Small Business Saturday proves a Christmas cracker

Jan and Stefanie Smith, owners of Aspect and one of the Small Biz Sat 100, with Richard Farnell, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, Mayor of Rochdale, Surinder Biant and Mayoress Cecile Biant

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Shops across the borough celebrated Small Business Saturday this weekend, with events taking place to champion local, independent businesses.

In Rochdale, Stefanie and Jan Smith, the mother and daughter team behind Wardle-based hair and make-up artists, Aspect, organised a Christmas fair and business advice event at the Flying Horse Hotel. 

Stefanie, who was selected by government to spearhead the campaign as the one of the Small Biz Sat 100 businesses, said: “To have a Rochdale business selected as one of the Small Biz Sat 100 is great.

"I was invited to a reception at the treasury in London, which was exciting, but what is even more important is the publicity, which will make such a difference. You really rely on that as a small business because you need people in your local area to know who you are.”

In Littleborough, shoppers spending £10 or more in a small business on the day enjoyed a free hog roast and designers and artists at Ebor Studios in William Street held an open day with locally made arts, crafts and clothes available for sale.

Small stores in Middleton and Rochdale town centre also offered special discounts for people shopping on the day, with Shoemaster, Brown’s Cakes, Lord’s Butchers and John’s Bikes all getting involved.

John Alexander, of JD Alexander Jewellers in the Walk, Rochdale, said: “With small businesses you get the personal touch. Sometimes more people come in my shop for advice than to shop, but they know I’ll always give them an honest opinion and expert advice whether they want to buy something from me or not.”

Richard Farnell, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “It was great to see so many people getting involved with this important event and I do hope that the people who came out in support will continue to think of small businesses as they do their shopping throughout the year.”