Small Business Saturday 2020 takes place this weekend with Southport BID encouraging people to recognise our town’s unique local firms.


It comes at a fitting time, with enterprises including ‘non-essential’ shops, restaurants, cafes, soft play centres, gyms, hairdressers, cinema, some bars and pubs and others opening after weeks of being closed during the national lockdown.


Falling Covid-19 figures in our area means that Southport is operating under the less restrictive Tier 2 measures which allows more businesses to open.


Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said: “Our diverse range of small businesses are what makes Southport so unique and gives it so much character.


“Our town is the perfect place to shop and dine out or enjoy a coffee with friends or family this Winter.


“Now, more than ever, we all need to cherish and to support our small firms.
“This has been a very tough year for everyone with the Covid-19 pandemic impacting our businesses hard and creating real uncertainty for so long.


“It has been good to see so many Southport businesses this week working hard to put everything in place to reopen safely and welcome back customers.


“The run-up to Christmas, is a crucial time for so many. From speaking with local business owners I know they have made huge efforts to ensure their premises are Covid safe to give visitors the peace of mind they need.


“People coming back to shop or eat in town this December have lots to look forward to.


“Families can enjoy taking part in our Southport Nutcracker Trail, with the chance to win a £50 Southport Gift Card for posting your pictures with the #southportnutcrackers hashtag on social media or an iPad Mini for completing the trail.


“Southport’s Christmas decorations and tree are now in place in both the town centre and also at Ocean Plaza for the first time.


“More than 70 local venues are also accepting the new Southport Gift Card which is a great way to support our local businesses.”


Small Business Saturday began in the US 11 years ago as a response to the economic devastation of the financial crisis. It originated as a campaign by credit card company American Express, in response to a speech by Barack Obama in which he called small businesses “the engine of recovery” for the US economy.
American Express created it to be grassroots and community-focused, and it took on a life of its own.


The UK event is now well established. It is not just about retail businesses; it’s about celebrating and promoting any small business.


It's about people and communities, and what's important to us. And what we want our lives to be, thinking about where we spend our money, who we trade with, who we employ, support and look after.


Around a million small businesses in the UK haven’t been able to operate since the last lockdown. While there have been new startups this year and digital companies have done well, a further three-to-four million have struggled.


It’s why a big focus of Small Business Saturday is a message to small business owners in Southport ‘You’re not alone’, with Southport BID urging people to spend local this year.


Rachel Fitzgerald said: “This pandemic has shown that we all need to support our small businesses. We have seen a huge shift in our culture and our consciousness.
“People are now more aware of small businesses and the role that they play in our community.”