Thriving independent businesses can help transform the face of local communities, offering valuable ...

1. Independents' Day - a time to celebrate local businesses
Thriving independent businesses can help transform the face of local communities, offering valuable
hubs that give back to the areas that they serve. Yet a number of contributory factors, including
increased business rates and a lack of funding, offer a challenging environment for growth.
Independents' Day, 4 July, was launched in 2010 to celebrate crucial economic and social
contributions made by independent businesses and it has gained considerable traction in a short
space of time.
This year, businesses across the UK will be marking Independents' Day with a raft of celebrations
and special promotions in order to raise awareness, change a few perceptions and encourage
footfall. The aim is to make support for independent businesses a more permanent fixture.
This year, we're encouraging local authorities, enterprise partnerships, improvement districts and
small and medium-sized business to run their own versions of the campaign. Doing this will allow
each area to tailor the Independents' Day message to their own needs and maximise local awareness
and media coverage.
Independents' Day is a fantastic way to showcase the might of small businesses. Plus, it's a chance to
invest in key areas like customer service, promoting yourself online and mastering the fundamentals
of small business management.
Our TV screens seem to be overwhelmed by solicitors imploring us to claim for each and every
mishap, there is obviously no such thing as an accident in this day and age. Somebody can be
blamed and they must be made to pay!. Bearing this in mind, it would surely be an extremely brave
(or maybe foolish) owner of any business, be it big or small who made the decision that they didn't
need public liability insurance. Clicking on the following link will answer any questions on
http://www.insurance-advisor.org.uk/liability-insurance-information/.
Since we launched the initiative, over 18 trade associations and organisations including councils,
business improvement districts, local enterprise partnerships, destination management
organisations, town centre managers and town teams have helped spread the word offering support
to their members and local communities.
Previously, the campaign has gained celebrity support through Theo Paphitis, and backing from
former business minister Matthew Hancock and Chuka Umunna, shadow business secretary. David
Cameron has also taken to Twitter to show his support.
There are a number of promotional materials available including posters, postcards and web banners
while outlets can share their plans on Twitter, using the hashtag #indieday.
We're taking the opportunity to raise the profile of the great selection of indie shops we have nearby
David Blair, Quirky Coo
Independent businesses need to know that they're not alone and that there are resources dedicated
to their continued growth and prosperity. Be sure to support your local independent businesses on
Saturday and beyond.

2. David Blair co-owner of Quirky Coo, an independent card and gift shop based in Dundee:
We're taking the opportunity to raise the profile of the great selection of indie shops we have nearby
[on Union Street]. We've set up a Facebook page for the street and a group independent businesses,
including Quirko Coo, are offering customers the chance to win vouchers of up to £80 [that can be
redeemed in some of the businesses on the street] if they post pictures of the purchases they make
from street on the Facebook page.
At Quirky Coo, we're having a 'FiverFest', offering customers the change to buy a variety of items for
£5.
Ursula Hutchinson creative director of Konichiwa-PR, a creative agency based in Bristol:
We created #actlocal - a campaign asking people to support their local community and independent
businesses. And we asked 15 of Bristol's independents to tell us why they feel going local is so
important and filmed their comments, uncovering the dedication, drive and passion of small
businesses owners.
We've chosen Independents' Day to screen the 30-minute film. The businesses featured include East
Bristol Bakery, Co-LAB and Dub Studio, Bristol Wood Recycling Project and Elevator Sound, among
others. We're holding a private screening of the film tonight and public screenings tomorrow at Co-
LAB. We've promoted the film on social media and we're also planning a Kickstarter campaign so we
can take it across the UK.
Marc Faulkner, director of ToyWorld North West a independent toy shop in St Helens:
We're offering a 10% discount on everything and we're running flash sales. There's going to be a
surprise giveaway on the day too.
We're surrounded by dozens of independent retailers and we've been working together to make
Independents' Day a success - we've been distributing leaflets and putting posters up about the day
across the town.
Independent businesses have suffered massively at the hands of the supermarkets, large multiples
and discounters in recent years, so anything that helps to raise the profile of our small, independent
businesses can only be a good thing.
Jonathan Powell, owner of the The Kiosk Newsagent in Newport, South Wales:
I'm part of a group of local businesses called Newport Rises - we get involved in days like Small
Business Saturday and Independents' Day. A few years ago, Newport was really run down - there
weren't many big chains in the city and people used to moan about it.
I decided to help promote all the independent shops we have and what they have to offer. This year
we've got sponsorship from a local housing association and insurance broker, which has allowed us
to produce around a 1,000 cloth bags featuring the logos for Independents' Day and Newport Rises.
We've arranged for the mayor to come and meet businesses and a local radio station is getting
involved. They've arranged for musicians from the area to play nearby.
I'll be running ice cream tasting in the shop - as well as selling the usual newspapers and sweets, we
have 35 flavours of ice cream. I've been talking about the day lots on Twitter too. When we've

3. celebrated Independents' Day before we've seen an uplift in sales.
Is your business taking part in Independents' Day? We'd love to hear what you're planning - let us
know in the comments below or on Twitter.
Sign up to become a member of the Guardian Small Business Network here for more advice, insight
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http://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2015/jul/03/independents-day-celebrate-local-s
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