Houghton and Sunderland South MP, Bridget Phillipson sat down in Peppercorn Cafe with members of the Houghton Traders Association ahead of Small Business Saturday to discuss their work, and how small businesses can be supported locally.

The Houghton Traders Association are a group of retailers and traders who are passionate about the shopping experience in Houghton. They are working together to support the town centre, tackle issues and improve the whole area.

Small Business Saturday is a grass-roots campaign supported by small business groups, local councils and other organisations that encourages people to shop locally and support small and independent businesses. The day highlighted the huge contribution small businesses make and it seeks to encourage people to buy from small local firms and independent shops on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, giving a much-needed boost. It is also about increasing long-term trade to small businesses. In the USA where the initiative has been running for three years, it has done just that with almost £3.5bn of spending in small shops on the last Small Business Saturday.

You can read more about Small Business Saturday on the official website here: www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.co.uk

On Small Business Saturday, following door knocking in East Herrington, Bridget dropped in Peter and Rheby Stacey’s shop Cards and More for a cup of coffee.

Then a cuppa to warm up at Peter & Rheby’s Cards and More #SmallBizSatUK pic.twitter.com/JIxjgPQ7vW

– Bridget Phillipson (@bphillipsonMP) December 7, 2013

Speaking to the Sunderland Echo about her meeting with Houghton Traders, Bridget said:

“Local people have told me how much they care about our towns and shopping centres, particularly the small and independent businesses such as those on Newbottle Street in Houghton.

“People value the choice they get from smaller shops, which is why I met with representatives of Houghton Traders Association to work with them and offer my support ahead of the first Small Business Saturday.”

You can read the article published by the Echo here.