Cambridgeshire firms hope for helping hand on Small Business Saturday
The annual campaign takes place today
Independent firms in Cambridgeshire are hoping Small Business Saturday today will give them a much-needed boost this winter.
The annual campaign, which runs on the first Saturday of December every year, aims to highlight success within smaller businesses and encourages people to shop locally within their communities.
Linda Hunns runs the White September florists in March since 2015:
"We might be more expensive (than chains) but we don't have the buying power that bigger shops have; we need you to support us because if you don't, we're not going to be here in the future," she said.
"People need constantly reminding to use the smaller shops, so something like this (Small Business Saturday) can make people think 'rather than going to the next big town, I'll see what I can get in March first' for example.
"There are some people that will always go and shop online, but that one extra person that we get through the door, it's always a help."
Rising costs hitting small firms hard, study finds
A study by the Small Business Saturday campaign and American Express found out of more than 250 independent business owners, one in three were suffering from inflation and rising costs.
Research also found three out of four small business owners believe it's getting harder increasingly hard to rely on Christmas revenues because of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Michelle Ovens, director of Small Business Saturday, is holding hope that uncertainty for smaller firms can be turned around.
"This time of year is crucial for small businesses and this research brings home just how uncertain it is becoming, with the turbulence of recent years," she said.
"If we all make a conscious effort to support our favourite small businesses, we can collectively turn this situation around.
"Every penny spent with a small business, every like on social, every review posted, every recommendation shared has power within it, and it all ladders up to make the world of difference."
March's 'wonky' Christmas tree could help trade
March's wonky tree has grabbed worldwide fame of late, which could help businesses tick over this winter.
Dave Lyons has been running March Quality Meats, just across the road from the tree on the town's Market Place, for around 30 years.
"We've got no problem competing (with bigger firms), certainly quality-wise, I think we've got the bigger stores beat," he said.
"(Success is) keeping the trade up, my staff employed, that's the main thing; I measure success by everybody keeping their jobs and us doing a good job.
"I'm sure once the Broad Street works are finished, we'll see an upturn (in trade).
"With the roadworks, it's harder for customers to come to town but to try and help with that, we're doing a lot of home deliveries every day."