Wirral independent businesses were showcased by the Small Business Saturday campaign recently as part of its UK-wide tour. The UK campaign, which celebrates small businesses and encourages the public to support them, came to Woodside Ferry Village on Friday 4th November with the help of local representatives from Wirral Chamber Of Commerce.
Keep up to date with the Christmas independent markets coming to Woodside Ferry every weekend from 26th November via FACEBOOK!
Small Business Saturday is a grassroots campaign supported by American Express that highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities. The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, with this year’s taking place on 3rd December, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses.
As part of the campaign, Small Business Saturday UK embarked upon a 5-week tour sponsored by BT, as part of the 10th anniversary of the concept here in the UK. On Friday 4th November, the Small Business Saturday UK team met at Wirral Chamber Of Commerce’s independent hub, Woodside Ferry Village, for a fun day of interviewing, filming and showcasing Wirral independents.
Keep up to date with the Christmas independent markets coming to Woodside Ferry every weekend from 26th November via FACEBOOK!
First on the agenda was a talk with Patsy Crocker about the integral part of Wirral Chamber Of Commerce in promoting local businesses, including the great work of Laura-Jane Dodd who has been leading the Independent Wirral project. This was followed by a talk from Stuart Whittingham from local MP Mick Whitley’s office talking about the importance of shopping local during the current climate.
Keep up to date with the Christmas independent markets coming to Woodside Ferry every weekend from 26th November via FACEBOOK!
Next up was a talk from local online magazine owner Justin Hopper from La Vida Liverpool, talking about the great work he does to shine a light on local independents and highlight the fantastic businesses in the region. It was then time to visit some of the wonderful Wirral independents — Boss Birds Parlour, The Chocolate Cellar, This Side Of The Water and PauSha.
Keep up to date with the Christmas independent markets coming to Woodside Ferry every weekend from 26th November via FACEBOOK!
Boss Birds Parlour was founded in 2019 by sisters Kate Verdin-Walsh and Lisa Luscombe and is an emporium based on Argyle Street in Birkenhead that promotes and stocks products from over 30 independent female business owners. With a big focus on ethical products, it offers a wide range of products from makers, bakers and creators including offering wellbeing, beauty and counselling services.
Check out Boss Birds Parlour on FACEBOOK!
The Chocolate Cellar is one of Wirral’s great independent success stories — built from scratch by Bala in her own home, it has become a multi-award winning business with too many awards to mention including being featured in Good Taste Magazine’s Power List 100. The Small business Saturday team enjoyed a chocolate making masterclass as part of the visit.
Check out The Chocolate Cellar on FACEBOOK!
During the fun visit to the New Ferry business, and after some chocolate tasting, the team also met Wirral Unplugged — a wonderful CIC that encourages children and families to unplug their devices and get creative. A fantastic and important initiative and one of the many Wirral organisations doing important work in the region.
Check out Wirral Unplugged on FACEBOOK!
In the afternoon, the tour headed back to Woodside Ferry Village to interview Jess from This Side Of The Water about her sterling work hosting local markets that have been a platform for many local independent businesses. Jess will be collaborating with Laura-Jane Dodd to host the Christmas markets at Woodside Ferry Village — running every weekend from 26th November.
Check out This Side Of The Water on FACEBOOK!
Finally, the team spoke with Jess from Pausha bar — a young, dynamic entrepreneur who runs one of the fantastic independents located within the Woodside Ferry Village hub. Pausha has exploded in popularity with visitors to the ferry terminal, complementing the fantastic food on offer wonderfully.
“We were so delighted to visit Wirral and celebrate all the fantastic businesses in the area,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday. “Small businesses are in the midst of an incredibly tough period so it was great to highlight the amazing contribution they make to the local area.”
For more on Woodside Ferry Village CLICK HERE!
Laura-Jane Dodd from Wirral Chamber Of Commerce said: “It’s fantastic to be part of the Small Business Saturday initiative and to have had the tour choose Wirral as one of its destinations. It’s so important to support local businesses as they are the heartbeat of the community and the businesses that were showcased are all true champions in their own right.”
She continued: “In these difficult times when businesses are being squeezed and business owners are under increased pressure, it’s even more important to show your support. Independent Wirral will be teaming up with This Side Of The Water for our Christmas markets at Woodside Ferry Village this December so come on down to see the many wonderful independents on display.”
Keep up to date with the Christmas independent markets coming to Woodside Ferry every weekend from 26th November via FACEBOOK!
The Small Business Saturday UK tour came to Wirral on Friday 4th November to highlight the importance of small independents, whilst showcasing local businesses. The tour is supported by BT Skills for Tomorrow, with the Small Business Saturday taking place on 3rd December 2022.
For more information about Small Business Saturday UK CLICK HERE!
For more on Woodside Ferry Village CLICK HERE!
Keep up to date with the Christmas independent markets coming to Woodside Ferry every weekend from 26th November via FACEBOOK!
Check out Boss Birds Parlour on FACEBOOK!
Check out The Chocolate Cellar on FACEBOOK!
Check out This Side Of The Water on FACEBOOK!
