Let’s celebrate local business on Small Business Saturday

13 November 2014

Written by: Cllr Jack Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Growth

Arts, culture and events - Better Lambeth - Council statements and updates - Jobs and skills

We all rely on our small businesses to create jobs, support livelihoods and provide the goods and services we need every single day.  But we should remember small businesses do much more than help us meet our basic needs.  They make our high streets distinct, they create inviting spaces for us to spend quality time with family and friends and they bring innovation, so we can get the most out of life.

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Let’s celebrate local business on Small Business Saturday

So for Small Business Saturday on 6th December, let’s give a little love back to them by supporting, inspiring and promoting Lambeth’s small businesses!

We’re doing our part by waiving our normal parking charges for on-street parking across the borough on 6 December.

You can get involved by:

  • Shopping on your local high street
  • Chatting to your shopkeepers; next time you’re looking for that something special, tell them – you may just inspire a whole new range!
  • Encourage your friends to shop local too, by tweeting photos of yourself leading by example to @LambethSbs using #SmallBizSatUK

Businesses in town centres across Lambeth are getting involved in Small Business Saturday too. Here are a few highlights:

  • The Loughborough Junction Business Association is hosting a market showcasing the talents of local artists and designers. It will offer a mix of handmade art, craft and great food for your Christmas shopping!
  • Streatham’s Business Improvement District is launching the Lights On! Streatham Campaign, for which artists have created bespoke installations for participating businesses. The event will incorporate the Saturday market on Streatham Green where discounted stall rates will be available for local businesses, makers and entrepreneurs.
  • Clapham will have a new market outside the library.
  • In Brixton, market traders and the Brixton Pound (B£) are joining forces to run all sorts of activities on the day.  But why wait until the 6th to get involved, when you can refer your friends and family to B£ for a chance to win B£250 to spend on Small Business Saturday?
  • Impact Hub Brixton is having an open morning.
  • The Saturday market on Lower Marsh lights up on 6 December and you’re invited to enjoy promotions and special offers throughout Waterloo during the festive period.
  • And in West Norwood and Tulse Hill, enjoy the newly illumined Christmas lights, indulge in mulled wine and take advantage of special offers from small businesses. The day will also include a 2.00pm ceremony dedicating a plaque and sapling to the fallen heroes of WWI.

If you are (or would like to be) a small business, there’s plenty for you to get involved in also:

  • Want to learn how to access new markets? Come to a free business breakfast at the Satay Bar, Coldharbour Lane, in Brixton on 4th December between 8.30am – 10.30am.
  • If you’re a small business looking for a flexible workspace, or just want to network and get advice and inspiration from follow entrepreneurs, Impact Hub Brixton could be just the place for you.
  • Find out how you can benefit from Lambeth’s regeneration projects by getting on the supply chain with our contractors, partners and large businesses.
  • Follow @lbl_business and your BID or local business association on twitter:

BIDs:
Brixton @BrixtonBID
Clapham @sw4business
Streatham @instreatham
Vauxhall @VauxhAllOne
Waterloo @waterlooquarter

Local business associations:
Loughborough Junction @ LJAGgers1
West Norwood @westnorwoodbiz

To find out more about Small Business Saturday events in Lambeth:

Email enterprise@lambeth.gov.uk

If you’ve not done so already, sign up to our business newsletter and get Lambeth’s latest business news direct to your inbox.

Best wishes and shop locally!