As part of Small Business Saturday on 6 December, visitors to the city centre can support local trades and benefit from discounted parking.
The national campaign aims to celebrate the achievements of new enterprises, small business entrepreneurs and independent shops across the UK, encouraging people to shop locally in the lead-up to Christmas. The campaign focuses on the people, passion, and creativity behind the UK’s 5.4 million small businesses.
To celebrate small businesses in Derby, the Council will be offering a discounted all-day parking rate of £2.50 at its on-street pay and display and car park locations when using MiPermit to pay. This includes Abbey Street car park and Little City Car Park.
The permit can be found by logging onto MiPermit selecting ‘Event Parking Permits’ from the ‘Buy Digital Permits’ menu and then selecting ‘Small Business Saturday’ from the drop-down menu on the purchase screen.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Strategy, Regeneration and Policy said:
Small Business Saturday is an essential campaign, reminding us of everything that our incredible small businesses across Derby have to offer. Figures from the BIDs show that the St Peters Quarter and Cathedral Quarter areas boast 300 small businesses.
By choosing to shop local, we are directly supporting the people who make Derby diverse and unique. I encourage everyone to come into the city centre this Saturday to benefit from discounted parking and discover everything that our independent businesses have to offer.
Ahead of the day itself, the Small Business Saturday Tour Bus visited Osnabruck Square outside Derby Market Hall on Friday 14 November, marking the official countdown to the national celebration. The tour shone a spotlight on Derby’s independent businesses, stopping to interview Critical Hit, Eagle Books, Spa Diamond, Glamberry, Threads and Cheeky Pancakes.
The newly redeveloped Market Hall showcases a range of independent businesses with a variety of retail offerings.
George Tsagurnis, owner of Cheeky Pancakes, said:
Running a small business is an absolute rollercoaster. There are massive highs from watching the business grow year after year, having busy days of trade and meeting fellow like-minded businesspeople along the way. It’s very rewarding knowing the more effort you put into your business, the more you will get out of it.
Cheeky Pancakes offers an amazing range of Mini Dutch Pancakes, known as Poffertjes, that can be eaten with sweet of savoury toppings. We also serve hot off the press Stroopwafles and a coffee to go with it. We have opened our first shop in Derby Market Hall where our guests can relax inside a beautifully restored Market Hall and enjoy their Poffertjes and coffee.
Gemma Pindard, Deputy Manager for the Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter BID, said:
Small Business Saturday offers independent retailers and service providers meaningful recognition at a vital point in the run-up to Christmas.
It provides Derby with a welcome opportunity to celebrate the individuality and creativity of our city’s independent businesses and shows genuine support for the small enterprises that help our community thrive.