A big day for small business – Saturday 7 December

Small Business Saturday is a campaign that encourages people to 'shop local' and support small businesses in their communities. This year sees the first Small Business Saturday to be held in the UK, and we are proud to be supporting the initiative here in Newcastle. Saturday 7 December – as the first Saturday in December – is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and we want you to get out and support your local high street heroes. And there is lots happening across the city to make it easy for you to get involved, both on the day and beyond:

• The Christmas Market (Wednesday 4 December to Sunday 8 December), around Grey’s Monument, welcomes stall holders from across the North East.  Expect beers from local microbreweries, home-made jams, delicious cakes and handmade fudges.  With scarves, hand thrown pottery and jewellery also available, there’s no excuse for not getting the Christmas shopping started.

• And just a short stroll away you’ll find the Grainger Market’s Christmas Arts and Crafts Market (Saturday 7, 14 and 21 December).  You’ll find a fabulous array of high quality local crafts ranging from quilted goods to Christmas decorations, to bags and wood-turned items.

• Alive after 5.  With shops open till 7pm on Saturdays in Newcastle City Centre, and thousands of free parking spaces after 5pm – why not head into town later in the day, when you can see the Christmas lights in all their glory?  Visit the Get into Newcastle website for more information.

• The High Bridge Quarter is Newcastle's independent shopping heartland, situated just 2 minutes walk from Grey's Monument.  Why not pop along and see what unique gems are on offer?  www.highbridgequarter.co.uk

For more information on the national campaign, visit www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com Locally, the Get into Newcastle and NewcastleGateshead websites are also full of information on where to shop and what to do locally on the day, and throughout the festive season and beyond.