Skates backs today's Small Business Saturday

* SFTW owner Clare Rhodes with Ken Skates AM

and Oliver Edwards. 

Assembly Member Ken Skates is encouraging people in his constituency to support their local shops on today's Small Business Saturday.

The Clwyd South AM, who is based in Llangollen, visited his local high street and urged shoppers to spend on their own doorstep.

“Llangollen is a superb example of a high street which boasts a fantastic array of independent shops, cafes and other firms, and the aim of Small Business Saturday is to showcase them and encourage people to use them,” said Mr Skates.

The AM stopped by SFTW Barbers on Abbey Road, owned by Clare Rhodes.

“It is businesses like SFTW which are the lifeblood of our communities, and this is one of many in the town that I can personally vouch for as a customer.”

Clare took on 18-year-old Oliver Edwards, from Chirk Bank, earlier this year and says she agrees with the ethos of Small Business Saturday.

Clare said: “I always do my best to support other small high street businesses, I think we all try to help each other. The benefits of shopping local are obvious, not least because the money stays local. I hope everyone will get behind this campaign.”

Mr Skates added: “Research shows that for every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business 63p stays in the local economy, compared to 40p with a larger business.

“Small Business Saturday is a fantastic concept and I hope residents in Llangollen and throughout Clwyd South will join me in supporting it – especially at Christmas.”