Martin Whitfield MSP has joined local ward councillors John McMillan and Shamin Akhtar in Haddington to back the Small Business Saturday campaign and support local independents.

Ahead of Small Business Saturday – which takes place on 4th December and celebrates small business success as well as encouraging consumers to ‘shop local’ – the three local representatives had a walkabout in the town centre to chat to some local business owners and help promote the campaign.

Speaking after the visits, Martin Whitfield MSP said:

“I’ve been urging businesses and consumers across East Lothian to get involved with this year’s Small Business Saturday. The campaign does brilliant work to promote the value and contribution of small firms, which is particularly important just now.

“I was pleased to join John and Shamin on this walkabout to support local shops and other businesses in Haddington and urge people everywhere to try and shop local whenever possible this year to help local SMEs get back on their feet after Covid.”

John McMillan, Haddington & Lammermuir ward councillor and the Council’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Economic Development and Tourism said:

“Local small businesses have had to deal with unprecedented disruption and restrictions during the pandemic. As we work towards a fair local recovery and renewal, they are at the heart of the Council’s plans for supporting business, creating employment and promoting inclusive economic growth. This time of year is, of course, a crucial one for small independent businesses and the more we can all do to drive trade towards them, the better.”

 Fellow ward councillor, Shamin Akhtar added:

“We have a wide range of amazing small and medium sized enterprises in this ward, covering numerous different sectors. Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity to help recognise and support this business diversity, which is so important for the future of East Lothian’s economy and local jobs.”

Now in its ninth year in the UK Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign with an impact that lasts all year round. On Small Business Saturday, customers across Scotland go out and support all types of small businesses – everything from local independent shops and restaurants, to smaller service providers like accountants, personal trainers and dog groomers.

Find out more about Small Business Saturday at https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/my-small-business and get involved in the conversation online using the hashtag #SmallBizSatUK.