#ShopLocal

Following the rush on large corporations on Black Friday weekend, last weekend hundreds of small businesses took part in the #ShopIndependentSaturday. This was a huge celebration of small independent businesses up and down the country, drawing attention to shopping small this Christmas. 

Local businesses are repeatedly putting aside their desire to compete, instead collaborating on campaigns such as last Saturdays. In 2017 the campaign Small business Saturday experienced its 5th Birthday. Small Business Saturday received sponsorship from American Express in 2013, resulting in bigger budget marketing campaigns than its previous year. News outlets reported that shoppers spent around £450m with independent businesses on the day and, since this, similar campaigns have gone from strength to strength. In 2016, figured rose 15% on previous years, with an estimated £717m spent with small businesses on Small Business Saturday. The national event is supported by 82% of UK councils, many of whom support markets and fairs by closing roads and waiving parking fees. 

Apart from the obvious - being a small business ourselves - we love small and local businesses and believe they are at the heart of our communities, bringing personality and variation to otherwise commercialised town centres. We relish the opportunity to get out to local fairs, chatting to local craftsmen and meeting with our retailers at their stores across the country. In fact, last Saturday we were at the Pickering Mind Christmas Fair along with other independents. You can also often find us celebrating local at the Made in Yorkshire tent which is proudly home to independent businesses, crafters and artists.

For some more inspiration of where you can shop local this Christmas and find a unique gift, follow this link to our 'Stockists' page. Don't forget to Meet the Team and take a sneak peak behind the scenes here too.

#ShopLocal