Dudley’s independent traders enjoyed their moment in the spotlight as the borough marks Small Business Saturday.

Residents were urged to show their support for local small businesses on the tenth anniversary of the national event, which celebrates the vital contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises to the UK economy.

Local firms sent promotional marketing packs to advertise Small Business Saturday throughout the borough, while Black Country Radio was live in Dudley and Brierley Hill to interview traders.

Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: “Small Business Saturday was the first big Christmas shopping day for a lot of people, so it was the perfect time to support local businesses in Dudley.

“Our borough has a really eclectic mix of small retailers and independent shops, and residents appreciated the character that these businesses bring to our town centres and discovered something new. I took a trip down to my local town centre in Halesowen using the two hours free car parking we provide to shoppers, and I was encouraged as many local residents did the same in their local towns too”.

Local firms were sent promotional marketing packs to advertise Small Business Saturday throughout the borough, while Black Country Radio was live in Dudley and Brierley Hill on Saturday to interview traders. This year’s Small Business Saturday coincided with two of the borough’s Christmas lights switch-on spectaculars.

The decorations in Dudley and Brierley Hill town centres will be lit up on Saturday evening after a busy day of events, including the chance to buy some early Christmas presents from local traders at festive markets. Dudley Business First has sponsored two free pantomimes at Dudley and Brierley Hill’s switch-on events.