THE first UK wide Small Business Saturday took place on December 7 and the public came out to show their support for this new initiative.

Small Business Saturday is a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities.

Across Trafford, a number of businesses took part with money saving and other interesting offers to encourage the town’s shoppers to explore and discover something new on the run up to Christmas.

In Altrincham, a Small Business Clinic offered free, impartial advice for those interested in setting up a business in Altrincham and flyers with business offers were handed out in the town centre. More than 50 people dropped into the Altrincham Forward Exhibition to view Local Creation’s Christmas Presence exhibition, with a number of items sold supporting local artists.

Across the borough in Urmston, Santa proved to be very popular in Eden Square. A Christmas gift and food market took place at John Alker Hall, with local businesses selling a variety of products from their stalls. Urmston Partnership used Twitter to get the message about Small Business Saturday and they reported a great turn out on the day.

At Stretford Mall, shoppers came out in their droves to support their local businesses, giving a kick start to the busy Christmas period. A Christmas kids club offered little ones the chance to write a letter to Santa and to get involved in Christmas craft workshops, increasing footfall to the Mall. Helen Jones, Corporate Director for Economic Growth and Prosperity at Trafford Council said: “This is an excellent opportunity for our small businesses to raise their profile amongst the local community. The public seem to have really embraced the first Small Business Saturday and I hope it is the first of many.”