SMALL Business Saturday returns to Penarth to promote local independent businesses.

The national campaign takes place annually on the first Saturday in December which is traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the UK.

It aims to encourage people to support their local businesses.

As part of our Your High Street: Use It or Lose It campaign in support of Penarth's high streets, we spoke to local politicians and a business owner about the importance of the annual initiative for Penarth.

Businesses throughout the town are getting involved and there will be special offers and deals for those who get involved.

This week also sees the second late night shopping event taking place in Penarth on Thursday from 5-8pm.

Anne Morgan who owns a jewellery store on Glebe Street was named among 100 small businesses in the UK to feature in the national campaign.

She said: "We’ve always championed small businesses and shopping locally and the events just highlights independents even more.

"We’re offering a 10 per cent discount on the day to encourage people to start their Christmas shopping now.

"But its not just about discounts. It is about realising that every piece of jewellery is handmade by an individual.

" We don’t send our work off to India or China which means things are made in limited batch runs.

"You're definitely getting a unique piece and sometimes a one-off one of a kind piece.

"We can tend to your every needs and make something that will last."

Penarth's MP said the Small Business Saturday ties in well with the aims of the Penarth Times campaign.

He said: "I am incredibly proud of Penarth's small businesses especially on the high streets.

"We have an amazing selection of independent and unique businesses and the Penarth Times has rightly focused on them in its campaign.

"We need to get behind them if we want them to succeed.

"I would encourage everyone to get involved in Small Business Saturday and I will continue to offer my support to local businesses on a wide range of issues where possible."

South Wales Central AM Andrew RT Davies also added his support for the initiative.

He said: "The Vale is blessed with some fantastic small businesses that really add to the character of our high streets.

"That is before mentioning the economic benefits they bring – from the revenue generated to the people they employ in the local area, and it is vital they do well.

"They will only survive and thrive if we give them our custom, so without being too blunt I think it is important to say it’s very much a case of use it or lose it. "Therefore, please join me in shopping local this Small Business Saturday."

Penarth councillor and deputy leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Lis Burnett said the council is committed to supporting small businesses throughout the year.

She said: "At this time of year our focus turns to local shops and town centres.

"Christmas is crucially important to the ongoing viability of our local independent retailers and I’m therefore really pleased by early indications of big increases in the number of people visiting our town centres as a result of the Christmas events across the Vale of Glamorgan.

"The range of late night shopping events over the next few weeks provides a super opportunity for us all to show our support for local businesses who provide such a vital service."