Small Business Saturday was this weekend, an annual event which helps promote and support local businesses across the country. This year I visited Sparkles in Garston Village followed by the Christmas Market in Clarke Gardens which had stalls from small businesses across Garston and Halewood.

Sparkles is owned by Paula Johnson and is a clothes shop offering a range of bright and shiny fashion to suit all tastes and sizes. It’s a business that Paula promotes using social media, which helps her attract customers from not only across the city but across the UK. While I was there I spoke to a lady who had travelled from the Wirral specifically to shop there and on Saturday afternoon they were expecting shoppers from Leicestershire.

The Christmas Market at Clarke Gardens had a fantastic range of vendors, all from businesses across the local area. It was great to see so many families who had come out to support these businesses and to enjoy what was a chilly but festive day, and also to meet Santa in his grotto. The market was arranged by local Councillors Sharon Connor and Kimberley Berry and was a fantastic way to promote our local small businesses and producers.