SMALL businesses in Rugby have been backed by the town’s mayor, MP and town centre management company to coincide with Small Business Saturday (December 1).
Mayor Tom Mahoney visited Experience Hair Design in Regent Street to present owner Jane Mozley with a Simple Thank You certificate in recognition of her work to promote independent town centre businesses.
Jane, who opened her business in 2002, launched the Rugby Independents group on Facebook to give town centre traders a platform to publicise offers, events and business news.
The group now boasts more than 3,500 members and generates more than 1,000 posts a month.
Coun Mahoney launched his Simple Thank You campaign at the start of his Mayoral year to highlight the work of individuals and organisations who serve Rugby’s communities.
Jane Mozley receives a Simple Thank You on behalf of town centre independent traders from Mayor Tom Mahoney.Coun Mahoney said: “Independent shops give a town centre a unique identity and in Rugby we’re fortunate to have so many dedicated traders who offer a diverse range of goods and services while delivering excellent customer service.
“Small Business Saturday encourages customers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses, and I’d urge Rugby residents to back our town centre traders during the Christmas shopping season and all year round.”
MP Mark Pawsey and Rugby First Managing Director Aftab Gaffar gave their backing by visiting small businesses in the town centre including M&M Jewellers, Gallachers, R&R Fashions, Sonrisa Boutique and Bayliss and Peet Hair Salon.
Mr Pawsey said: “Rugby’s small businesses are right at the heart of our local economy. As a former local small business owner myself I have always been passionate about doing all that I can as the town’s MP to help them thrive.
“Rugby has a diverse and vibrant retail offer and I would encourage people to shop local this Christmas and support our high street and our many brilliant local businesses.”
Aftab added: “The campaign is a fantastic way to raise awareness of these businesses and I would encourage customers to show their support for them throughout the year.
“One small purchase can make a big difference to a small business so why not take the opportunity to discover your local town centre small businesses – I think you will be pleasantly surprised as to what they have to offer.”
Statistics show that if every person living in Rugby spent an extra £100 a year – just £2 a week – on local businesses instead of chain stores, it would put an extra £10million a year into the local economy and create hundreds of new jobs.
A grassroots, not-for-profit campaign, last year’s Small Business Saturday saw an estimated £748million spent with small businesses across the UK. Visit www.smallbusinesssaturday.com for more information.
