Local independent traders in Wolverhampton are being put in the spotlight through an initiative encouraging people to shop local this Christmas.

Small Business Saturday is taking place across the country on 7 December and is aimed at supporting small to medium companies and highlighting the services they offer.

In the build up to Small Business Saturday, a selection of businesses from across the city will be featured on the Wolverhampton Today Facebook page.

A number of events will take place on 7 December and follow on from initiatives that are taking place in run up to the day.

The latest new venture to emerge from Wolverhampton's Portas Pilot project, Polish delicatessen Kabanos, will be hosting its official opening in the new shop in Cleveland Street.

Deputy Mayor Councillor Mike Heap will perform the official opening of the shop, one of the winners of the Portas Pilot Idea2Reality programme, at 11.15am on 7 December.

Between 10am and 2pm, the Wolverhampton Youth Theatre will be putting on a "History of Retail" production at the Access to Business shop in the Mander Centre, focusing on the impact of independent traders in the city.

At the same time, shoppers will be able to dress up in Victorian costume and get free sepia pictures, taken by photographer Errol Duncan, in his shop Funky Dory, at 8 St Johns Arcade, Mander Centre.

Last week, a series of forums were held for small to medium businesses which gave them the opportunity to find out about support available to them.

Councillor Peter Bilson, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Prosperity, said: "It is important to support any initiatives that help independent traders in our city - particularly in the run up to Christmas.

"We have a wide variety of small to medium enterprises in Wolverhampton that offer a unique and friendly service that we are all keen to see prosper and we do our best to support them all year round.

"I am delighted to welcome Kabanos to Wolverhampton. The principle of Idea2Reality was to enhance the offer in the city centre and we are starting to see the rewards of the initiative.

"Our main message to visitors and shoppers to Wolverhampton is to support these ventures and shop locally in the festive season and beyond."

The launch of Kabanos follows the opening of Corpse Clothing, in the Mander Centre, The Fish Stall in Worcester Street and the Shop in the Square, in Queen Square.

The final Idea2Reality winner, The Hungry Bistro, in Lichfield Street, will open in the next few weeks.

  • released: Tuesday 3 December, 2013