THIS year I am again supporting Small Business Saturday (SBS) – because as I have written previously, small independent businesses are vitally important within our communities.

Here in Penarth we are lucky to have a range of such businesses. We all know the value of the friendly, one-to-one service they provide – but we also know the challenges they face, competing as they must with supermarkets, ever-changing shopping habits, as well as local factors like parking and traffic problems.

It was great to hear that, according to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, the Cardiff South and Penarth constituency is the best performing in Wales in terms of average annual business turnover.

However, for many small businesses, there can be a very fine line between success and failure – a month or two of poor trading, for whatever reason, can prove decisive, and owners do not necessarily have the luxury of time to wait for an upturn.

The loss of local businesses – sometimes long-established and sometimes newer to the community – underlines just how important it is for us to make the most of what we have on our doorsteps.

I’m therefore encouraging people to get involved with SBS, which this year takes place on December 6.

A grass-roots campaign endorsed by business groups and councils, SBS encourages people to shop locally and support small businesses – not only on one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the run-up to Christmas, but also with a long-term commitment.

Last year’s SBS proved to be a real success. It put small and independent businesses in the spotlight and encouraged people to shop locally.

Here in Penarth, it also built on the good work being done by the Vale Council, Penarth Town Council and local representatives in supporting businesses. A great deal of work is also being done by the GPG group - and one need only look at the success of the annual Penarth Local Food Festival to see the support that exists within the community.

I’ll be helping kick off the run-up to Small Business Saturday itself by welcoming the SBS bus – which is currently on a nationwide tour - to south Wales, this Friday (November 28).

The bus will be stopping off at the National Assembly for Wales building (CF99 1NA) between 10am and 11am, and on board will be business development professionals who will be available to provide advice and information, and answer questions. Business owners, employees and residents are all welcome to pay a visit.

• For more on the Small Business Saturday campaign, visit www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com