David Rees AM and Gwenda Thomas AM Say Shop Local for Small Business Saturday

Neath and Aberavon AMs Gwenda Thomas and David Rees are encouraging constituents to support local businesses this Saturday, 7^th December, to mark the UK’s first Small Business Saturday, a campaign aiming to raise the profile of small and medium sized firms across the country.

In Neath a group of 13 retailers (Baroc, Bellaroma, Bluebell Hotel, Buffalo Bill and Jamaican Jills, Cabana Boutique Neath Market, Paul Cole Butchers Neath Market, Country Homes at Country Kitchen, Deenna Boutique, Neath Rugby Shop, Forget-Me-Not Neath Market, Phria and Valley Mill)  have come together with the FYINeath website to set up a Neath Shopping Champ trail around the town. All of these companies are marking the day with promotional offers.

Gwenda said: “I hope the event will give a real boost to local businesses and help people discover some the brilliant independent traders we have in Neath. The Welsh Government is giving Welsh companies the backing they need to sell their products and services at home and abroad, but to create the thriving vibrant town centres we all want to see these companies need local support. I’d urge all my constituents to explore Neath on Saturday and see how much our local retailers have to offer.”

David said: “Small enterprises are the bedrock of the local economy: small businesses, with less than 50 employees, account for almost half the private sector employment in the UK, whilst small and medium sized enterprises together make up 99.9% of all companies in the UK. Further, local shops offer much more than just a one-stop-shop: they have more variety, they pride themselves on personal service and offer a friendly local welcome. Small Business Saturday gives us an excellent opportunity to celebrate these great businesses on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and help local shops survive these difficult trading times.”