Bags of treats in store for those who shop local this Christmas

Rochdale will be celebrating all things small and unique this December, with events planned across the borough to mark Small Business Saturday.

The national celebration on 5 December will be marked with one-day-only discounts for shoppers in a range of small businesses across the borough, a Christmas fair and business event in Rochdale and a festive hog roast in Littleborough.

Residents can stock up on Christmas goodies, with small businesses in Middleton and Rochdale, including Lord’s Butchers, Studd Menswear, JD Alexander Jewellers and Chantilly all putting on special offers on the day.

Shoppers can stock up on arts and crafts, handmade chocolates and flowers, jewellery and more at a Christmas fair at Rochdale’s Flying Horse Hotel in Town Hall Square from 1 to 3pm.

The Flying Horse will also host a free business advice event, organised by Wardle-based business Aspect, from 1-3pm to give entrepreneurs help with key business skills, including accountancy and website and software development.

In Littleborough, shoppers who spend £10 in small businesses and show proof of purchase can warm-up with a complimentary hog roast to be served outside the Wheatsheaf pub in Railway Street from 10am until stocks run out.

Also in Littleborough, local artists and fashion designers who are based in Ebor Studios in William Street, will be hosting an open day from 11am to 4pm. Visitors can pick up unique locally made pieces of art and ready-to-wear women’s clothes by Violet Flamingo Bespoke, a local designer who creates luxury one-of a-kind pieces. Visitors to the event can enjoy a 20% discount on selected Violet Flamingo pieces bought on the day.

Originating in America, the Small Business Saturday campaign encourages people to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.

Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, Richard Farnell, said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our high streets and I’d urge residents to get along to one of the many events across the borough on 5 December; they might just discover a little gem that they never knew existed. And with research showing that for every £1 spent in small businesses, 70 per cent goes back into the local economy, people get the added bonus of knowing they’re benefitting the community as they pick up their Christmas gifts.

“We’ve given our small businesses a boost this year by introducing our new business rates sale and three hours free parking in council-owned town centre car parks and it’s great to see that one of the businesses which came in as part of our rates sale has already thrown its weight behind the Small Business Saturday campaign.”

Visitors are asked to present the vouchers below to participating retailers to receive the discounts on Small Business Saturday.

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