Rugby independents gear up for Small Business Saturday - The Rugby Observer

Rugby independents gear up for Small Business Saturday

Rugby Editorial 3rd Dec, 2014 Updated: 27th Oct, 2016   0

SMALL businesses in Rugby are hoping for a boost this weekend thanks to a national initiative that celebrates local independent firms.

Small Business Saturday celebrates traders and retailers that contribute to a town’s character.

MP Mark Pawsey, Aftab Gaffar from town centre management company Rugby First and Paul Miles Rogers from the Federation of Small Businesses will visit town centre entrepreneurs on Friday to show their support in advance of the big day.

Mr Pawsey said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy here in Rugby and I am delighted to be supporting Small Businesses Saturday.




“As a former businessman myself I have always been keen to shine a light on what our small local businesses have to offer and this initiative will help showcase the incredible diversity of the retail offer we have in Rugby.”

Aftab Gaffar said: “For every one pound spent with a small or medium sized business, 63p stays in the local economy, compared to 40p with a larger business.


“We are proud to be supporting the campaign and see it as a great way of raising awareness of small businesses in the town centre.”

Paul Miles Rogers added: “Small businesses are at the heart of our local town and it’s important to remember that if we don’t use them they face closure.”

One of the shops on their itinerary is Cinnamon and Marmalade, an Albert Street party supplies and gift shop.

Rugby born-and-bred owner Kate McNicholas said: “Rugby has so much to offer from an historical and architectural viewpoint.

“Where we are situated, we are surrounded by like-minded businesses that are all looking to offer their customers outstanding service but, as well as that, we want to offer something different.”

Co-owner Adele Aske-Haley added: “We’re also very much looking forward to 2015 when Rugby is awarded ‘Proud Home’ status for the Rugby World Cup.

“Obviously, that is great news for a business like ours, which thrives on happiness. But it is also great for every other small business in the area.”

The store will offer free fresh popcorn to visitors on Saturday. Visit www.cinnamonandmarmalade.co.uk for more information.

Meanwhile, the owners of an oven cleaning and valeting business are marking the event by switching their spending to small, independently-owned local retailers and businesses.

Dave Simmonds of Ovenu Rugby said: “As a small business that provides a service to people in Rugby, I would encourage my retail and service sector colleagues to join together to support each other.

Wife and co-owner Helen added: “We will be shopping and sourcing services on our local High Street this particular weekend and making a conscious effort to do much more of this in the future.”

Small Business Saturday is a national campaign which raises awareness of the importance of small businesses and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’. Visit www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com for more information. Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/smallbusiness-saturday for information on some of Warwickshire’s small businesses.

Dave Simmonds of Ovenu Rugby is supporting Small Business Saturday by switching spending to small, independently-owned local retailers and businesses.

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