So, hot on the heels of Black Friday and Cyber Monday (or, as the big National retailers like to call them, 'FatCat Friday' and 'Loadsamoney Monday'), last weekend saw another US import in the shape of Small Business Saturday.

Here at thebestof Haverhill, Small Business Saturday is much more our thing. Like ourselves, the initiative champions small, independent and local businesses across the country. The High Street independents, local manufacturers, tradespeople and restaurants alongside business support services such as accountants, solicitors, marketing and IT specialists. In fact all small businesses who keep our local community growing, creating jobs and helping promote economic growth locally.

And for that Small Business Saturday should be applauded. In only its second year in the UK, 2014 saw a much increased awareness and involvement in the event, and a high profile social media campaign, with Small Biz 100 featuring one small business per day on social networking for each of the 100 days preceding Small Business Saturday.

We welcome any effort to support small local businesses, but they need that support 365 days a year, not just one.

And it’s important to remember that not all small businesses are retail. The aforementioned tradespeople and business support services rarely have a shop window or a High Street presence, and Saturday is not their day.

In order for Haverhill to thrive, to offer a wide range of goods and services to the community and to provide employment opportunities, we need to do all we can to use the small local businesses we have now. Many of these business owners work much harder for much less than if they were employed by a large corporation, simply because they have a product or service they truly believe in, or because they are committed to providing the highest level of customer service.

In recent years as the recession took hold some admirably turned to self employment as an alternative to unemployment, because despite what the ‘Benefits Britain’ brigade would have you believe, most people would rather be working than watching daytime TV.

Here at thebestof Haverhill our mission is to promote local businesses for the benefit of both them and their customers. We can help small businesses with marketing assistance and networking events and their customers can benefit from honest, genuine reviews by other local people, or can take advantage of the many deals local businesses promote through our Offers page.

The local companies on our Business Services pages cover everything the average Haverhill family needs! From finance to photographers, property to pampering, entertaining to education – each of our featured businesses offer quality, personal services to the local community.

Every business is recommended by local people. And every business deserves your support… not just on Small Business Saturday but throughout the year.

And Christmas is a prime example. Don't rush to the nearest retail park. Spend some time in Haverhill. Buy Local. Support local businesses. 

Our recent Christmas blog provides you with all the information you need to get those special Christmas presents for your loved ones. Jewellery, flowers, photoshoots and sports are all covered. 

Plus we have all the details you need to enjoy fabulous festive fayre with yesterday's blog about Kedington Butchers.

And don't forget the Elf Workshops for little ones so you can get those last minute shopping trips done!  Click here for more information.

There really is everything you need in Haverhill. So show your support!