Small Business Saturday - 10/12/22

Alan Brown MP visited several Kilmarnock based employers to celebrate Small Business Saturday.

Last week (4th December 2021) the representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun paid tribute to the many small businesses in the constituency as part of the annual event.

Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to shop local and support small businesses in their communities.

Just last month, the MP welcomed the tour to Kilmarnock town centre to raise awareness of the event.

In advance of the date itself, Mr Brown visited 123abc as well as Prestige & Lash Academy – and on the day of Small Business Saturday, he popped into Hard Luck Tattoo and The Cheesecake Guy. All businesses were based in either Titchfield Street or High Glencairn Street in Kilmarnock.

Commenting, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:

“It was great to celebrate Small Business Saturday once again. It is an event I have taken part in every year as MP. Of course, last year was much more difficult given the restrictions, however this year it was good to get back out and visit some employers.

“Previously, I have visited Galston, Stewarton and other areas in Kilmarnock to celebrate Small Business Saturday, but this year all the shops were essentially right next to my office! However, this conveys the range of local businesses in such a small area of the town. To visit; a beautician’s, tattoo parlour, desert store and a baby furniture shop personified the range of local employers.

“It was fascinating to hear the start-up stories, but what really stuck out was that for many it was not just about working for themselves, it was very much about creating and giving opportunities to others – particularly young people.

“With the build-up to Christmas well and truly upon us, now is the perfect time to go out and support small businesses within our constituency and give the local economy a boost.

"It is important to celebrate small businesses and the integral part they play in our community – they are about far more than profit. They provide much-needed services and goods; they offer employment and training; they boost the local economy, and they have a major role in rebuilding our town centres.

“I want to give a massive thanks to Angela, Rebecca (123abc), Justina (Prestige), Niky, Marti (Hard Luck) and Rob (Cheesecake Guy) for taking the time to chat with me. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for these businesses!”