Small Business Saturday returns with Dorset retailers seeking boost after difficult year
Dorset's residents are being encouraged to ‘shop local’ as Small Business Saturday presents a lifeline for independent retailers
Small Business Saturday returns today and there’s a sense that independent retailers across Dorset could do with a much-needed boost after another challenging year.
What began as a grassroots celebration of local enterprise has evolved into a vital moment in the retail calendar, one that many traders now view as essential to their survival for the upcoming year.
For local business, who often operate on tight margins and rely heavily on December footfall, the day represents a commercial opportunity as well as a reminder that they are the heartbeat of our towns.
This year has tested their resilience more than most, with high energy bills and a persistent cost-of-living squeeze crippling businesses.
Yet despite these pressures, the spirit of Small Business Saturday continues into another festive season.
Campaign organisers say support for local shops is not merely nostalgic but sensible and money spent on the high street circulates within the local community, sustaining jobs and keeping high streets alive.
For retailers, even a modest surge in trade can help carry them through the quieter months ahead.
Dorset Council has backed the initiative as well by introducing free parking at council-run car parks across the county.
That includes the following: Beaminster, Blandford, Bridport, Corfe Castle, Dorchester, Ferndown, Gillingham, Lyme Regis, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Sturminster Newton, Wareham, Weymouth and Wimborne.
Councillors hope it’ll encourage residents to shop locally, explore the towns and discover the unique products and festive experiences Dorset has to offer.
Cllr Richard Biggs said: “Christmas can be an expensive time, especially with the current pressures on household budgets, so by offering free parking, we’re encouraging people to shop locally.”
Cllr Jon Andrews added: “Free parking means you can spend more time browsing, shopping and soaking up the Christmas atmosphere without worrying about the meter.”