Bury St Edmunds traders visited by town MP in support of Small Business Saturday campaign

Bury St Edmunds MP, Jo Churchill, was out and about today in support of the town’s small businesses.

Mrs Churchill, who is also now Minister for Employment, visited traders in support of Small Business Saturday, which takes place tomorrow.

Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local' and support small businesses in their communities.

It is also supported annually by Our Bury St Edmunds (BID).

The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact.

It encourages people to go out and support all types of small businesses in stores, online, and offices.

Jo Churchill visited Little Wood Worms children's play centre on Churchgate Street, The Cheese Hole artisan cheese shop on Hatter Street, and Claire’s House pottery studio and shop, also in Hatter Street, as part of the campaign.

All three have started up within the last year.

Mrs Churchill said: “Building you own business is tough; I know I have done it, and it’s so important supporting people in those early stages, to often bring their dreams to a reality.

“We are incredibly lucky in Bury. We have a phenomenal number of small, independent traders and without actually using them, supporting them, our high street wouldn’t look so vibrant, or so festive - without their hard work.

“Pease support them.”

Mark Cordell, CEO of Our Bury St Edmund (BID), who visited the traders with Mrs Churchill, said: "Independent businesses in Bury St Edmunds account for around 60 per cent of the town centre offer and are an extremely important asset.

“The pre Christmas trading period is so important for so many of them and therefore I am pleased for the Our Bury St Edmunds BID to yet again support the Small Business Saturday campaign, now its 11th year.

“I was delighted to be joined by Jo Churchill and visit relatively new businesses.

“I am grateful to the owners of Claire's House, Little Woodworms and The Cheesehole to have been able to spare their time to tell us about their businesses, the challenges they are facing and how they are trading.

“Their enthusiasm for their businesses was clear to see. I would ask people to carefully consider buying at least some of their Christmas gifts from local Independent businesses, invariably owned and run by local people, who we know will spend a good proportion of their turnover within the local economy."

* Little Wood Worms has a special Santa’s Grotto tomorrow and also on December 16.

It costs £10 per child, which includes a chat with, and a gift from Santa

Booking advised.