Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has once again given his backing to Small Business Saturday and is calling on fellow MSPs to do the same via a motion in parliament. The Federation of Small Business initiative is in its third year and will take place this Saturday on the 5th of December.
Last year the event helped deliver hundreds of millions of pounds of spending for small firms across the UK.
Murdo is encouraging residents to shop local and patronise high street sellers rather than shopping online for Christmas presents.
Small to medium sized enterprises are responsible for 27% of private sector employment in the UK and contribute disproportionately to private sector jobs in rural communities.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity to show your support for small businesses in your local community and I am calling upon politicians in parliament to do the same.
“High Streets across Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire are reliant on Christmas trade to fill their order books and I will be doing my bit on the 5th of December to make sure retailers are busy.
“With small businesses responsible for nearly 27% of private sector employment it is essential that we give our backing to high streets across the region.
“The whole look and feel of a town can be transformed by the presence of vibrant independent retailers and the Scottish Government must work hard to ensure that small retailers are still viable in the ‘Amazon’ age.”