Dover District Council to support Small Business Saturday with free parking

Dover District Council is supporting the UK's first ever Small Business Saturday on Saturday, 7 December 2013. Pioneered by American Express in US, Small Business Saturday is designed to raise the profile of small businesses across the UK and is being backed by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

As part of the initiative, DDC will be offering free car parking in all its off-street car parks throughout the town on Saturday, 7 December 2013. With most retailers gearing up for the festive season, DDC wants more people to recognise the value, quality and choice that local, independent traders provide. Car parking will also be free in all DDC off-street car parks from 25 December to 1 January 2014.

DDC is hoping that other organisations and residents will support Small Business Saturday, and is encouraging small businesses to think of creative ways to entice people to shop locally as part of the initiative.

Cllr Nigel Collor, DDC Portfolio Holder for Access, said: "Small businesses are the lifeblood of our town centres and we know how important this time of year is for independent traders on the high street. I hope this small initiative goes some way to promoting increased trade in our town centres."