SHOPPERS can join the party in Wimborne next month to celebrate Small Business Saturday.

On December 7, visitors will be able to enjoy a host of deals – and entertainment – as they back business in the town.

Small Business Saturday is a national campaign, now in its 12th year celebrating independent and family-owned firms.

“Wimborne is thriving and long may it continue,” said Simon Warren, co-owner of multi award-winning, independent business East Street Deli.

“We often hear that the high street is dead but due to the support of the Wimborne community and hard work from the local businesses, many of them made up of very small teams, this town is thriving.”

Now, Wimborne businesses have come together, with the support of Wimborne BID, to celebrate the day with promotions and offers that shoppers can take advantage of in the run up to Christmas, as well as special events in the town.

There will be a Christmas Street Party in Church Street to which everyone is invited.

The road will be closed to traffic so people can enjoy live music, beer and great food as the Oddfellows, Wimborne’s smallest pub, Ten Bottles wine bar and Levantine restaurant promise lots of Christmas joviality and hospitality.

At the other end of Wimborne, East Street will be closed to traffic for a festive ‘Block Party’.

Simon added: “This great town of ours is so lucky to have so many great, small, independent and passionately run businesses.

“Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity for everyone to celebrate this by supporting these brilliant shops and services.”

Coordinated by Wimborne BID, people are also being asked to give their local businesses a shout out on socials, tagging in #SmallBizSatUK.

They can also share the Wimborne Bid Small Business Advent Calendar on Facebook and Instagram, which features a Wimborne business behind the door each day in December.

Wimborne BID chair, Fiona Harwood, said: “Small, independent businesses are hugely important not only to the economy but also the individuality of a town.

“Small Business Saturday is a great way for us all to celebrate and support the unique flavour they bring to Wimborne.”