MP CLAIRE Perry is supporting a campaign to get people shopping locally.

She is behind Small Business Saturday, held tomorrow, which encourages people to use local services instead of national brands.

MP Perry said: “Big national chains do bring jobs to our communities but for every £1 spent in a big store, only 43p stays in the area, whereas if we support a local business, 68p stays local.

“Local businesses also provide us with a big choice and bring vibrancy to our high streets.

“That is why I am making a big effort this Saturday and in the run up to Christmas to support as many local businesses as I can.”

Test Valley Borough Council is also supporting Small Business Saturday and will announce the forthcoming award of the latest Independent Retailer Grant to DMAC-IT. They will be joined by individuals who are due to benefit from the council’s £500,000 Andover Skills Training Fund.

Councillor Peter Giddings, economic portfolio holder, said: “One of our key corporate aims is to create a competitive local economy, so I am delighted that the council is supporting Small Business Saturday.

“We continue to encourage small businesses through various schemes, including the recent introduction of the £1,000 grant to new independent retailers in Andover.

“Small Business Saturday will see the mayor announce the second grant to an independent business setting up shop in the town and meet individuals who are due to benefit from the Andover Skills Training Fund.

“The fund was introduced to encourage Andover businesses employing up to 100 persons to offer skills training to residents.

“In addition we support over 400 businesses throughout Test Valley with Business Incentive Grants and it is hoped that these businesses will develop to offer more jobs.

“If anyone else is considering setting up their own business or up skilling their staff, now is a great time to do it.

“There is a lot of support out there, so it needn’t be as daunting as you might think.”

To be eligible for the Independent Retailer Grant, new or existing independent businesses must occupy a town centre ground floor unit which has been vacant for at least one month.

Qualifying businesses include shops, restaurants and cafés.

The £1,000 grants are funded from the New Homes Bonus reserve.

More information, including details of how to apply, along with the council’s other business support, can be found at testvalley.

gov.uk or by contacting David Gleave, economic development officer at dgleave@testvalley.gov.uk or telephone 01264 368309.