Case Studies

City of York Council has welcomed news that over 16,000 people visited the Small Business Saturday Market outside York Minster on Saturday 6 December.Organised by City of York Council and Proudly™, the market was part of the national Small Business Saturday campaign, which looks to support and promote the benefits of small businesses.Outside the historic York Minster traders sold items ranging from local micro-brewed beers to vintage clothes, unique gifts and homeware to pulled-pork sandwiches. Traders were able to take card payments on the day, thanks to iZettle® mobile payment systems who offered their services free of charge for the day. The payment systems used CityConnectWiFi, which is free and available across York city centre.Cllr Dafydd Williams, Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance at City of York Council said: "It's good to see that so many people got behind Small Business Saturday and supported local small businesses. City of York Council is committed to continuing to work with partners to facilitate an environment in York in which small businesses can grow and create jobs in the city. We were pleased to be supporting the Small Business Saturday initiative, alongside partners and were delighted by the numbers of people who came out to support the event."Aliz Tennant, Proudly™ Project Manager, said: "Small independent businesses are the heart of York, both on the high-street and online, and are what make the city so unique both for residents and visitors. Being able to showcase and celebrate them on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, as part of Small Business Saturday, has not only provided shoppers with unique gifts for this Christmas but has also seen the traders supported by over 16,000 people who attended the event - showing thanks for the work they do all year round. We know from the feedback that the traders were truly touched."At Proudly we know how important these businesses are to York's economy and we're thrilled that the city came out to support the event, and Small Business Saturday as a whole"Andy Herrington, Managing Director, Ainsty Ales who were one of the traders at the market "At the heart of the brewery are its local roots, ethics and morals, something which we at Ainsty Ales believe was echoed by all involved with the recent Small Business Saturday Market in York. The market not only helped to promote small and local businesses, but it did so in a way that was a great spectacle for the public visiting York,  a great networking event for all the small businesses participating and all in the backdrop of the magnificent York Minster! Being able to take credit-card payments at the event was a simple but great idea and the fact that these facilities were provided free of charge just proves again that support is out there for new businesses in the York area eager to succeed! Roll on Small Business Saturday 2015 in York!!"Article from York Means Business - www.yorkmeansbusiness.co.uk/Photo credits: Ben Bentley / One&Other