Brighton & Hove City Council is pulling out all the stops to show support for local retailers and businesses this Christmas.
VisitBrighton, the city’s official destination marketing unit, has launched a campaign to inspire potential visitors by demonstrating what the city has to offer over the festive period.
The website, www.christmasinbrighton.co.uk, has been developed to showcase the array of independent shopping, accommodation and restaurants that the city has to offer. Additionally it provides a searchable “what’s on” section with details of the diverse range of entertainment including seasonal shows, ice skating, pantomimes and advent calendar beach huts.
The city council’s Economic Development Team has also attempted to support local businesses and boost trade through the Dressed for Success scheme. As part of the plan, twenty-five independent shops in the city will receive free one-to-one expert training from retail trainers in how to make the most of their window displays in the run up to Christmas. The public will then choose a winner by voting on online and via Facebook.
The competition proved popular last year with over 2,500 votes submitted. In addition, feedback from participating shops stated that there was increased footfall and sales and a boost to staff morale at the critical point in the year.
The council has also given its backing to the upcoming Small Business Saturday with Brighton boasting highest number of independent retailers on the south coast. This national initiative, which has cross-party support, aims to encourage residents to back small businesses by purchasing local goods and services.
Small Business Saturday is set to occur on 7 December and on the day, helpers from Hove Business Association, VisitBrighton and the Council’s Economic Development team will be on hand at Brighton, Hove and Portslade train stations to give out maps and information about the independent retail areas. They will also promote local festive events such as Artists Open Houses, the annual Santa Dash along Hove seafront and the Rottingdean Smugglers night.
Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council Jason Kitcat, who last month signed the council up to the initiative, said: “Research proves that money spent with small local businesses is money kept in the local community. The vast majority of businesses in our city are small independent firms, and they remain the lifeblood of our economy.”
Free parking will be available on Saturday, December 7 and Sundays, 8, 15 and December 22 in five city car parks – Trafalgar Street, High Street, Regency Square, London Road, and Norton Road.
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