Small Business Saturday returns to the Isle Of Wight for a second year on Saturday 6 December, traditionally one of the busiest days for shopping in the lead up to the festive season. On the day the Isle of Wight Council will not charge to park in any of its long stay car parks between 12pm and 6pm.
The event, supported by the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses, is being promoted by the County Press and Isle of Wight Radio and is based on an American scheme which has seen sales in small businesses boosted by around $5.5 billion in the USA.
Kevin Smith from the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce said: “The Chamber supports Small Business Saturday as it helps to promote and celebrate the great range of small businesses that we have on the Isle of Wight. We endorse the council’s support of the day by providing free car parking across the Island which will also encourage residents to buy local, especially during this important trading period leading up to Christmas.”
The scheme differs slightly from last year, in a bid to encourage more shoppers to make the most of the free parking, as Shirley Smart, IW Council’s Executive member for the economy explains “We have changed the period of free parking this year to between 12pm and 6pm. This is based on feedback received last time which suggested that many people took advantage of the parking in the morning and left their vehicles parked all day. This in turn meant many car parks were full which prevented shoppers from finding spaces. By providing free parking from midday should mean more spaces are available for shoppers to visit towns across the Island including those where they might not usually shop”.
Normal Arnold from the Federation of Small Businesses said the event is great for shops ahead of Christmas, saying: “This scheme is being thoroughly embraced by our members and will be a boon for Island shoppers. Across the Island we have some of the most innovative and interesting retailers you will find anywhere and I would encourage everybody to explore all we have to offer on 6 December. Doing this also supports local traders and helps boost the local economy. You may just find the inspiration to make this a very special Christmas for loved ones.”
Isle of Wight Radio and the Isle of Wight County Press have set up websites to promote the day including outlining special promotional offers and highlighting what events are taking in towns across the Island to encourage shoppers. These can be accessed via their main websites.
