People encouraged to shop local in West Sussex this Small Business Saturday
Many stores across the county are joining in today.
People in West Sussex are being encouraged to shop local as today (5 December) marks Small Business Saturday.
It comes just days after the second national coronavirus lockdown came to an end on Wednesday (2 December) and West Sussex entered Tier 2 restrictions.
This meant non-essential shops in the county could reopen.
Small Business Saturday is a campaign which encourages shoppers to 'shop local' and support independent stores in their communities.
Dave Hockridge, owner of Present Surprise in Chichester, told Greatest Hits Radio about why this year is so important:
"Obviously because of the pandemic that's been going on, although lots of people have already been supporting us since we have been reopened, it's even more so important now because obviously small businesses have taken quite a big hit of not being able to be open during the past month especially.
"It's very important for small businesses to return loads of trade as well, and get loads of sales in the tills because obviously if it doesn't, there's going to be even less shops on the high street.
"A lot of those less shops are going to be independent, small, little shops."
Many businesses in West Sussex are joining in today, including The Village Florist in Storrington, Castle Chocolates in Arundel and Bubblegum Bognor Jewellery and Gifts in Bognor Regis.
You can find lots more by using the Small Business Finder.