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Supporting independent businesses on Small Business Saturday

Show your support for small and independent businesses while enjoying a host of activities and free parking at council-operated car parks in the town centre to celebrate Small Business Saturday.

The UK wide event, which takes place on Saturday 3 December 2022, aims to recognise small businesses and give them a pre-Christmas boost on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

With many independent businesses to choose from in towns and villages across the borough, there is no doubt you will be able to find unique gifts to fill up your Christmas stockings.

If you are visiting Basingstoke’s town centre on that day, make sure you visit the Top of the Town to support small businesses and take part in festive activities throughout the day including festive Lego builds with The Brick People and Any Room at the Inn? Walkabout. 

Shoppers can take also advantage of free parking at council-operated car parks in the town centre for the whole day.

For those who would prefer to support the borough’s businesses in the comfort of their own home, shoppers can support over 60 local businesses who are selling their goods online at  www.theboroughbasket.co.uk  

There are also plenty of other opportunities to support local businesses on Saturday 3 and Saturday 10 December including a special edition of the Borough Basket Street Market indoors on the Upper Level of Festival Place.  

Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Cllr Simon Bound said: “Small businesses are at the heart of our economy and Small Business Saturday is a great way to shine a spotlight on them and give them a much-needed boost in the run up to Christmas. We are delighted to help them by offering everyone free parking in our car parks throughout the day.

“As well as supporting a fantastic range of businesses and smaller retailers across the borough and in our town centre, shoppers can look forward to a fantastic array of free activities and entertainment to get them into the festive spirit.”   

To find out more about free parking in council-operated town centre car parks on Small Business Saturday, visit  www.basingstoke.gov.uk/festive-parking   

For more information on how you can support small independent businesses across the borough keep an eye on the Love Basingstoke social media channels. 

Small Business Saturday is an American concept and is backed by the UK government, with a record £1.1 billion spent with small businesses on the day last year. The initiative is just one of the ways the council is supporting small businesses to succeed in Basingstoke.