Businessmen and women across Burnley and Padiham have been commended for the part they have played in responding to the coronavirus pandemic to mark Small Business Saturday.
This year, Small Business Saturday comes at the end of a hugely challenging period for small businesses, with many facing long periods of closure and reduced income due to the pandemic.
Antony Higginbotham has praised businesses across the borough for stepping in to support the local community throughout 2020.
And now retail shops in England can reopen under the tiered system of restrictions, he has urged people to get out and support them on the high street in the run-up to Christmas.
Commenting, Antony said:
There has never been a tougher period for our high street, particularly the independent, small businesses, which are the backbone of Burnley and Padiham.
So many have stepped up to help our community throughout this period, despite those challenges they've had, and I want to thank all those who have played their part in getting us through.
Now that restrictions have been lifted I hope everyone across the Borough, from Burnley and Padiham to Worsthorne and Hapton, will go out and support our local businesses in the run up to Christmas. I'll be buying local this year and doing as much as I can, with Government, to ensure businesses can thrive again in 2021.