Small businesses got an £812million sales

boost from a campaign at the weekend encouraging people to ‘shop local’, organisers claim.

The figure for this year’s Small Business Saturday was up from £748m last year. And the sixth year of the event has apparently been the best yet.

Research commissioned by American Express found 59% of people were aware of the day. Event director Michelle Ovens said: “It’s been a challenging year for the high street.

“So to see the amount spent on Small Business Saturday yet again is fantastic.”