Small Business Saturday which kicks off today is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, celebrating small companies’ successes and encouraging consumers to “shop local”.
Now in its 10th year, Small Business Saturday’s mission is to support and celebrate the UK’s 5.5 million small companies, particularly as they face mounting economic challenges during the winter.
We talked to some small businesses in our region to gauge what they think about the initiative.
The Wee Fabric Shop
Two years of enforced Covid restrictions have seen one Inverness business notice a real change in customer behaviour which emphasises Small Business Saturday’s philosophy of encouraging local shopping.
The Wee Fabric Shop in the Hilton area of Inverness has been a feature of the Highland capital for more than four years and has seen customers return to the shop after it was obliged to pull down the shutters due to government restrictions during the pandemic.
“We have seen a real change in the way people shop since Covid,” co-owner Fiona Mackie told the Press and Journal adding: “They all definitely try us before going elsewhere.
“With everybody having been stuck at home during Covid, they have realised how much these little businesses mean to them. Especially in a community we are in, you get to know the locals really well.”
Help if you are stuck
She added: “I think they would much rather support us than buy stuff off Amazon, we have noticed a real change – people come and ask us first – we offer a personal service.
“You can go online and buy a sewing pattern and it will be sent to you, probably cheaper. If you come to us, we can say what we like about it, we can tell you if the fabric is suitable for that pattern and help if you are stuck.”
The Wee Fabric Shop, co-owned by Marice Gneba has been a keen member of Small Business Saturday since the concept started and is acutely aware of the pressures its customers are going through at the moment.
Ms Mackie added: “We are the same as everybody else; we have got families and houses to pay. We are part of a community here in Hilton and we are very conscious everybody is struggling this year and that things have been difficult since Covid.”
As well as the local emphasis, Wee Fabric Shop has also been recognised nationally winning Sew Magazine’s prestigious Best Regional Independent Store – Scotland at the British Sewing Awards for the second year in a row.
Christmas is an especially busy time of year for The Wee Fabric Shop and while many husbands typically purchase gift cards at this time, a trend is also emerging of more men picking up a needle and cotton.
“We have actually seen a real increase in male sewers in the last couple of years,” said Ms Mackie adding: “We have got a guy who sews clothes for his kids and a guy who likes to make waistcoats.
“I think the Great British Sewing Bee is responsible for that. We love it.”
Lovely Mama in top 100 SmallBiz100 line-up
Highland-based business Lovely Mama has been selected to be part of this year’s SmallBiz100 line-up, which showcases independent businesses.
Lovely Mama co-founder and trained aromatherapist Shona MacRae said: “We are passionate about promoting the Highlands and other small businesses, so naturally, we are delighted to be recognised by Small Business Saturday UK in this way.
Shona’s daughter and co-founder, Jill encouraged her mother to set up the business in 2019, saying: “Mum has always been so creative and it was great to use my business experience to help market her products and bring Lovely Mama to life.
“It took us a bit of time to get the branding right, but we were delighted to launch our self-care and skin-care product ranges in August.
“We both love nothing more than shopping small and local – you always find the best treasures.
“More than ever, small businesses like ours and those on our High Street need the support of local communities, so be sure to remember to shop local this Christmas – your support does make a huge difference.”
‘Almost overwhelming odds’
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Highlands and Islands development manager David Richardson said businesses in the Highlands & Islands have to be independent-minded and resilient due to remoteness from cities and towns, transport difficulties, climate, seasonality and more
Mr Richardson said: “Their passion for living in the region combined with their can-do attitudes and ability to think outside the box keeps them going in the face of almost overwhelming odds.
“However, times are really tough at the moment with one in six Scottish businesses saying they will shrink, shut or sell up in the next year if things don’t improve.
“Many of our most beloved small, independent businesses in our local communities need our support if they are to survive, both in the run up to Christmas and in the cold, dark days that follow.
“Now, more than ever we should be supporting our local, independent businesses; if we don’t use them we risk losing them and that would be tragic.”
Conversation