Bath and NE Somerset shops need people's support more than ever.

That was the message from Metro Mayor Dan Norris as residents were urged to back their local high street shops and local indies this Small Business Saturday later this week.

There are a whopping 30,000 small firms across the West of England - from butchers and bakers to pet groomers and pubs. They're the backbone of the economy, employing more than 180,000 people accross the region.

Yet their contribution is often overlooked, according to Mr Norris, which is why locals making a special effort to support those in their patch this Small Business Saturday is so important.

The cost of living and energy crises plus sky-high inflation combined with the pandemic aftershocks, means supporting small shops and other small enterprises - from plumbers to dentists, local garages to physios - is more important than ever, Mayor Norris added.

The rallying call comes as Bath and NE Somerset traders gear up for the vital last few weeks before Christmas.

Mr Norris, who has backed small shops and other local indies as part of his Shop Local campaign, said: "With Christmas on the horizon, it is so important for us to get behind our brilliant small businesses - the beating heart of their communities - and to shop, eat, drink, give, relax and do business locally. Whether it's coffee and cakes at a plush Bath cafe, or one of the many independent and quirky shops across NE Somerset, our region is full of cracking businesses which to do so much to enrich all our lives. But they've faced huge challenges in recent times, so it's now more important than ever to get behind them this Small Business Saturday and beyond. So please, please, please support your local shops as you do your Christmas shopping, grab a few bits and bobs, or pop into your local eatery - we need to give our Bath and NE Somerset indies all the support we can this winter".

Now in its tenth year, Small Business Saturday, is an annual campaign aiming to boost local high streets by encouraging people to show up for local businesses in their communities. It is estimated over £1 billion was spent during Small Business Saturday last year.