Small businesses in Keighley are hoping for a seasonal boost as shoppers are encouraged to spend locally during the festive season.
New data from the Small Business Saturday campaign suggests that UK shoppers could spend £5.3 billion with small businesses this Christmas, with one fifth of all festive spending expected to go to independent firms.
In Yorkshire and the Humber, 22 per cent of household Christmas budgets are predicted to be spent with small businesses.
Michelle Ovens CBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: "It is promising to see positive economic signs ahead of this year’s critical festive season.
"This bigger seasonal spending pot offers an incredible opportunity to boost the amazing small businesses across Yorkshire and Humberside and the wider UK."
The campaign revealed that 16 per cent of people in the region expect to spend more on Christmas than they did last year.
Top spending priorities include food (76 per cent), gifts (67 per cent), alcohol (44 per cent), and nights out (40 per cent).
The campaign is encouraging people to shop small on December 6 and throughout the festive period.
Ms Ovens added: "Despite ongoing challenges, small businesses have experienced a period of relative stability this year.
"Public support can make all the difference in helping them finally turn a corner as the year ends – especially with Black Friday and Cyber Monday on the horizon, as small firms can really struggle to keep up with deep discounting events.
"It is vital the nation gets behind our favourite small businesses so we can unleash their power in supercharging the economy next year and delivering immeasurable wider value across society and our local communities."
Hepsie Goddin, co-founder of independent homeware brand Martha and Hepsie, said: "Christmas is a key season for our business and it's really hard to judge how it's going to be this year.
"With the squeeze on household budgets, we hope people will be looking to invest in smaller quality products designed with purpose."
Hannah Weston, a jewellery designer based in York, added: "Small Business Saturday really highlights the connection between maker and customer.
"As a small independent brand, the festive season is vital and our customers have really shown up for us.
"When you choose to ’shop small’, you’re gifting twice - once to the person you’re buying the item for and once to the business - supporting sustainability, craftsmanship and allowing us to keep designing, teaching and pouring our passion into meaningful pieces of art."
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