Small Business Saturday takes place on Saturday, 2 December 2023, with local shoppers encouraged to support small and independent businesses, such as those that can be found in West Lothian's traditional town centres of Armadale, Bathgate, Broxburn and Uphall, Linlithgow and Whitburn.
The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses.
Executive councillor for economy, community empowerment & wealth building, Kirsteen Sullivan,
Said: "West Lothian is home to a number of truly unique and traditional towns and villages, many of which host a wide variety of small, high quality, specialist retailers, business services and stores.
"Small Business Saturday is the perfect opportunity for local residents to show their support for such firms, which play a vital role in their communities and ensure our town and village centres remain vibrant places to visit, shop, work, live and be entertained in."
The date also coincides with the start of Christmas festivities in both Bathgate and Whitburn on Saturday 2 December 2023.
Bathgate's event takes place in the Steelyard from 3pm until 6pm, and includes local market trading stalls in collaboration with Bathgate Market, a carol service with traditional and contemporary singing, choir and accompanying local brass bands (from 4pm). The Bathgate Procession Principal Characters will turn on the Christmas tree lights as their final civic duty of the year around 4.30pm.
People's Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band will also be participating in the Christmas lights switch-on ceremony in recognition of their fantastic achievement in becoming World Pipe Band champions for the first time in their 50-year history this year.
A short celebratory parade will take place from 5pm from George Place, and follow George Street, North Bridge Street, South Bridge Street and returning to George Place and Steelyard.
The annual Whitburn Christmas Cracker takes place at the Whitburn Community Education Centre in Manse Road from 12noon to 4pm. The community festive tree lights will be turned on at 5pm.
Don't forget with over 140 local businesses already participating, the Scotland Loves Local West Lothian Gift Card could be that magical ingredient to treat yourself or your loved ones this festive
year.
To buy your Gift Card, please visit West Lothian Gift Card (opens new window)
