IT MAY be called Small Business Saturday but it’s a big idea that will hopefully boost trade for local shops and businesses in the all-important run-up to Christmas.

The big day is on Saturday, December 7 – and the message is simple: “Shop local and support local business.”

The aim is to recognise small businesses and give them a pre-Christmas boost on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

The idea stems from the United States, where last year it helped drive sales of £3.5billion for independent shops, and led to an increase in longer term custom.

Now it is being backed by the Government across the UK with support from American Express, which has launched an advertising campaign to promote the concept.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is backing Small Business Saturday in a bid to help increase footfall and raise awareness of the wide range of small businesses, retailers and not-for-profit organisations across the borough.

Residents and visitors are being urged to show their support by shopping locally, especially in the Top of The Town area of Basingstoke.

To help with this, the council is launching a special prize draw in partnership with Destination Basingstoke and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Shoppers who spend over £5 before 7pm in any participating small business from Small Business Saturday up until December 14 will have the chance to enter and win.

Prizes worth a total of £1,000 are up for grabs including a Truly Scrumptious pamper day and VIP passes, tickets to The Haymarket or The Anvil, dinner at The Lime Leaf, in London Street, and vouchers for Basing Cycles and The Secret Garden, in Winchester Street.

Among businesses in Basingstoke taking part are The ZipYard, in Church Street, The Squirrels Collectors’ Centre, in Joices Yard, just off New Street, Basingstoke Service Centre, in Winchester Street, and Waxworks, in Church Street.

And to help give the campaign a boost on Saturday, shoppers and those enjoying a meal in the Top of The Town will be able to get a refund on the cost of their parking when they spend over £10.

Car park users can bring their ticket for car parking on the Saturday and proof of purchase from a participating Top of The Town retailer on the same day, to the council offices in London Road Basingstoke before December 23, for a refund on normal daytime parking charges.

The offer applies to people parking from 8am to 6pm in the council-owned Albert Yard, Brinkletts, Castons Yard, Castons, Central, Civic Offices, Eastlands, Feathers Yard, Jacobs Yard, Joices Yard, Sarum Hill and Southern Road car parks.

Cabinet member for partnerships, Councillor Cathy Osselton, whose portfolio covers parking, said: “This parking refund initiative adds to the support we are already giving to traders in Top of The Town for Small Business Saturday.”

To find out more visit basingstoke.gov.uk/go/small businesssaturday or watch this Small Business Saturday video: