SHOPPERS are urged to support small businesses as a campaign to recognise their efforts take place this weekend.

The Small Business Saturday campaign takes place on Saturday, with organisers revealing data showing around a fifth of the consumer spend this Christmas expected to be spent on small businesses.

In Yorkshire and Humberside, this is estimated to be worth £4.4billion to them, with 26% of households expected to spend up to a quarter of their Christmas budget with small businesses this year.

Encouragingly public support for small businesses across the region is already riding high with 88% of people in Yorkshire and Humberside thinking it is important to support small businesses and 56% spending on goods or services with small firms multiple times a month.

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Small Business Saturday’s research also found women are predominately controlling the festive purse-strings, with 60% in charge of their household budget. 

Michelle Ovens CBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK said: “Public support is absolutely vital for small businesses across the UK, with many still fighting to recover from the cost-of-living crisis and deal with continued challenges like high costs and flat growth.”

“With a major festive spending pot up for grabs this year, there is huge opportunity out there for small businesses. And it is really encouraging to see such positive public sentiment across Yorkshire and Humberside. We need this to continue as it really will make all the difference to helping small firms across the area stay in business and keep delivering their incredible value across our economy, society and local communities.”

(Image: Pic supplied)

Small Business Saturday came to the UK in 2013 and is backed by principal supporter, American Express, which founded the campaign in the US in 2010.

Simon Henry of York Gin says Christmas is the peak season for York Gin and it is innovating to drive sales.

“We’ve introduced a new signature mulled gin that is going down very well, and also creates a warm and inviting atmosphere in our 16th-century gin shop for locals and visitors to the city.

“We have also innovated by joining forces with other small businesses to offer fast-turnaround personalised engraving, as well as opening up the distillery for special Christmas tastings.

He added: “Small businesses can create a lot of magic for people and the support we get back from the public makes all the difference to our business at this time of year.”

The campaign is also backed by East Yorkshire artist Eleanor Tomlinson, whose 13-year-old home-based business is inspired by childhood Christmas card competitions.

Eleanor created the viral Platinum Jubilee illustration of the late Queen having tea with Paddington Bear.

Lauren’s Cows is an award-winning small business offering art, giftware, and homeware inspired by cow portraits.

Based in York, Lauren is celebrating 12 years of painting and has has expanded her collection to include Christmas cards and, for the first time, a calendar featuring her iconic artwork.

To learn more about Small Business Saturday visit –  https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com