NEARLY 30 family-run and small independent businesses are taking part in the next stage of Thurrock Council's borough-wide Shop Safe Shop Local campaign ahead of Small Business Saturday and the festive period.

To inspire residents to shop locally and safely, the council has stepped up its Shop Safe Shop Local campaign and collaborated with more businesses across Thurrock in a festive photoshoot.

The photos featuring familiar faces and 29 businesses within the borough's communities will be showcased in a number of short films before, on and after Small Business Saturday tomorrow (4 December).

Now in its ninth year, Small Business Saturday promotes small business success and encourages people across the UK to shop local.

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Strategic Planning, and External Relationships Cllr Mark Coxshall, said: "Our borough's small businesses have done an incredible job welcoming shoppers back to the high street.

"Now, more than ever, ahead of Small Business Saturday and the festive period we want to highlight their resilience, determination and drive to boost Thurrock's economy, communities and create more jobs.

"Small businesses continue to be the beating heart of our towns and we want to inspire more people to either start to or continue to shop locally. The campaign encourages residents to shop safely with confidence, and I ask that you please remember to wear a face covering when visiting retailers following the new temporary government guidelines that came into place this week.

"I'm delighted that more owners and colleagues of family-run and independent businesses in Thurrock have got on board with our campaign. Thank you to everyone for your support – and I wish you all a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year."

Lewis Simmons, Andy Cowan and Tom Fowler own Fobbing Farm Shop based at Gables Poultry Farm, Fobbing, and are supporting the campaign.

Andy said: "Our farm shop was born out of the pandemic and we've been in Fobbing since February. We quickly realised how much people relied on the weekly shop as a way of interacting with others and feeling part of the community, and maintaining a sense of social normality during these testing times.

"There's been a lot of press about the support that local government and councils have provided, and when we were asked to back this campaign we gladly got involved – it's a two-way street. We're all about supporting other local businesses too, it's like a network where we're all working hard to support each other.

"By shopping local, the quality of our produce speaks for itself and there's more variety. We also want people to feel as safe as possible and we continue to listen to their needs – we have vigorous health and safety checks and there's a one-way system around the shop."

For more information about Small Business Saturday, click here:smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com