A LEIGH business owner is supporting a borough wide initiative to draw in new business this Saturday.

Free parking is being provided in Leigh town centre, as part of Small Business Saturday, to help smaller traders in the run up to Christmas Wigan Council is backing the day by offering free parking to shoppers from 10am on council car parks in Leigh.

Leigh town centre has a high percentage of independent retailers offering products and a friendly personal service to shoppers.

Small Business Saturday is being backed by Amy Lewis, owner of Sweet Little Things Coffee Shop on Bradshawgate, Leigh.

Amy, 29, said: “We really support Small Business Saturday as it promotes all the fantastic independent businesses we have locally and encourages people to shop local.”

Sweet Little Things was voted one of the Top 5 best coffee shops in Greater Manchester earlier this year thanks to its excellent ratings on Trip Advisor, while their afternoon teas are a hit with people of all ages.

Amy adds: “We have lots of regular customers from the local area as well as visitors from outside the area.

“I hope people use the free parking offer to come and visit us and also support other small businesses in Leigh.”

There is currently free parking after 3pm Monday to Saturday until Saturday 9th January in council car parks in Leigh.

There is also free Sunday parking on all the council operated car parks in Leigh town centre until Sunday, January 8.

Councillor David Molyneux, Wigan Council’s cabinet member for regeneration said: “We hope that by offering free car parking for most of the day it will deliver a boost to the small and independent retailers in Leigh.”