Preston’s small businesses celebrated as shoppers are urged to buy local and keep high street alive
Small business across Preston were celebrated this weekend as the “backbone of the city.”
For the first time, Preston was chosen as one of only 22 destinations across the country, on the Small Business Saturday National Tour, leading up to Small Business Saturday.
The annual national event celebrates more than five million small businesses across the UK and encourages shoppers to buy local and keep Britain’s high streets alive.
Opened by the Mayor of Preston, Cllr Sue Whittam, the event saw dozens of traders and city leaders gathered at the Harris Museum, in the heart of the city, for a reception hosted to thank small businesses for their ongoing contribution to city life.
There was also a rallying cry from the King’s representative in Lancashire, the Lord Lieutenant Amanda Parker, to support our small businesses, and local high streets, in the run-up to the busy Christmas period.
The Lord Lieutenant paid tribute to business operators at the event, adding, “As a small business operator myself, I understand the daily challenges that you face. But I also recognise the contribution that you make to the lives of those in your community, that can’t ever be underrepresented”.
The reception was organised by Preston’s Business Improvement District (BID), with support from the city council.
Small businesses account for almost 99% of the UK’s business population and they are essential for local employment, innovation and driving community spirit on the high street at a time when budgets are tight.
The latest stats show that there are more than 5,600 active enterprises in Preston in 2024, many of which employ less than 10 staff but contribute more than £330m to the local economy and support around 4,400 jobs in the city centre alone.
John Boydell, chair of Preston BID, said: “The small business community in Preston is the backbone of the city and they should rightly be celebrated for their commitment and hard work, in supporting for the local economy, and community.
“Small Business Saturday is a great way to acknowledge their hard work; however, we believe that we don’t have to wait for a national event, to get out there and support small businesses, in order to keep the high streets alive and the local economy thriving.”