Type=image;ImageID=5841;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Cllr Elias Mattu, Karolina Cummings, Kamilla Adamczyk;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=5842;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Cllr Elias Mattu and Ellen Schrijver;TitleClass=strong;
National Small Business Saturday will highlight the success of small enterprises, urge people to support them and inspire others to set up their own company.
Over the last year the city council backed new enterprises including Polish delicatessen Kabanos, gift store the Shop in the Square and the Hungry Bistro in Lichfield Street as part of the Portas Pilot Ideas2Reality.
City council communities leader Councillor Elias Mattu said: "Having independent small retailers and businesses in the city is important to its diversity and offer in attracting visitors.
"It is commendable that people from our community have had the ambition and drive to set up their own enterprises and are successful. They are contributing to the city economy and we hope they will be an inspiration to others considering starting their own business in Wolverhampton.
"This week, in the lead up to Small Business Saturday, I have visited Kabanos - a thriving delicatessen jointly run by 2 businesswomen - one of whom a graduate from the University of Wolverhampton. This really demonstrates the strength of our city and is why we will be celebrating Small Business Saturday."
Kabanos, in Cleveland Street, which was a winner in the Portas Pilot Ideas2Reality competition, is run by Karolina Cummings and Kamilla Adamczyk.
Karolina said: "We have had a really successful year and are attracting a wide range of customers from the local and Polish communities in addition to people from the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania.
"There is a lot of competition, but we set ourselves apart through the shopping experience we offer, the choice and the service. We have a wide range of produce from a range of suppliers and have doubled our stock over the last year. Because we have increased turnover we can keep prices competitive. We have to keep on the ball and customer feedback is essential. Now we're looking forward to a really busy Christmas and to build on our strengths in the new year."
The Shop in the Square stocks a range of craft and giftware from local artists, providing a central retail location which would not be viable for individuals on their own.
Ellen Schrijver is one of the artists who helps to run the shop as a cooperative. She said: "The Shop in the Square supports local artists as it enables them to showcase and sell their products in a busy city centre location. It has proved hugely popular and we expect a lot of people through the doors over the next few weeks."
The city council's business support team is hosting free advice surgeries for small companies in the lead up to Small Business Saturday. They will take place on:
- Friday 5 December at Bilston library between 10am and 5pm
- Saturday 6 December at A2B Recruitment Shop in the Mander Centre from 10am to 4pm
- released: Thursday 4 December, 2014