It’s ‘Small Business Saturday’ this week

Lorraine Wallace and Lyndsay Wylie, owners of Velvet Rose Boutique and Coffee Shop, Dromore with the Lord Mayor, Councillor Darryn Causby, to launch the Small Business Saturday Campaign

Small Business Saturday is a UK wide campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to support local traders. This year’s Small Business Saturday will take place on Saturday, 5 December however the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses.

The council will be playing its part by organising a number of events to help promote local enterprise and attract people into their town centres.

In Banbridge Town Centre there will be entertainment galore throughout the afternoon for shoppers to enjoy. Live music will be provided by Ballykeel Accordian Band, with street performers and stilt walkers adding fun and laughter to the festivities. The Cool FM promotional team will also be on hand with goodies to give out.

In the Old Town Hall there will be a fabulous Festive Flowers workshop where participants can make a seasonal door swag and luxury table decoration. Booking for this workshop is essential, please T: 028 4066 0605 to book your place.

An added bonus for visitors to the Borough will be free car parking in all council managed town centre pay and display car parks on Saturdays leading up to Christmas commencing on Small Business Saturday and continuing on 5, 12 and 19 December 2015. Usual time restrictions apply to on-street parking.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Darryn Causby, said “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local city and town centres, adding social and commercial value to the places in which we work, live and enjoy. Statistics show that for every £1 spent with a local, independent business, between 50-70p circulates back into that local economy. It’s vital that we do all we can to drive home the Local businesswoman, Lorraine Wallace of Velvet Rose boutique in Dromore is very supportive of the campaign.

she said: “I would encourage our local community to take a look at what we have to offer on Small Business Saturday and in the run up to Christmas. The support of local people will ensure that small businesses continue to make a vital contribution to our towns.

“Since my daughter Lyndsey and I opened our business in 2014, we have established a loyal local following and in a relatively short space of time we have become a ‘destination’ store attracting shoppers from the wider area to Dromore.”