Traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year falls this Saturday (December 3) and west Londoners are being urged to 'shop local'.
The day will mark the annual Small Business Saturday which is taking place across the country, and Hounslow council will once again be supporting dozens of entrepreneurs in the grassroots campaign.
In the run up to Christmas , residents in Hounslow are being asked to visit shops on their doorstep this weekend in support of independent businesses .
Councillors will be out in the borough helping to drum up trade while local MP's Seema Malhotra and Ruth Cadbury have been out doing the same.
Ms Cadbury has visited five participating shops in Brentford, Chiswick and Isleworth including Bianca Marton Artisan Chocolates in Brentford and Moore's Cycles in Isleworth .
She said: "Small Business Saturday is a great national event that encourages us all to do our Christmas shopping locally, and support local enterprises.
"From classy chocolates and quality bikes, to dry cleaning and shoe repairs, with a stop off at a great community cafe, my featured businesses show that you can get ready for Christmas without going online or into central London."
There are also festive events such as the Isleworth Christmas market which will offer a range of gift stalls set up by local traders for shoppers to pick up the perfect present from 3pm to 8pm.
Meanwhile town centres across the borough will be promoting the chance to shop locally.
Ms Malhotra was joined by Shadow Business Minister Bill Esterson MP on a visit to some firms in Feltham and Heston .
She said: “It is so important that we support our small and independent businesses.
"They are a vital part of our local economy and local community and we need to get behind them.
"I grew up above a shop in Hounslow and am so proud of our local businesses and the local businesses and the contribution they make to our society and economy.”
Last year the event gave local shops a huge £500m boost in the UK.
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Small Business Saturday shops in Hounslow:
Top Hat Dry Cleaners, 20 Devonshire Road, Chiswick
Russell's Cobblers, 207-208 High Stret, Brentford
Bianca Marton Artisan Chocolates, 9 London Road, Brentford
Moore's Cycles, 3-5 St John's Road, Isleworth
South Street Coffee and Ice Cream Shop, South Street, 2 Shrewsbury Walk, Isleworth
Chocimpress.com, 75 Hounslow Road, Whitton
Emmas of all Occasions, 198 Hospital Bridge Road, Whitton
Purple Icing, 21 Broadwalk, Heston
Willow Candles, 33 Badger Close, Hounslow
AEM Health and Fitness for kids, Dorey House, Brentford
Enchanting Bakes, 195 London Road, Twickenham
Cranford Opticians, Bath Road, Cranford
Helen Booker Photography, 19 Ellesmere Road, Twickenham
Small Business Saturday originated in the US and in the lead up to the big day has taken its annual nationwide bus tour encouraging people to spend time in independent shops and their local high street in the hunt for Christmas gifts.
The event hopes to create a long-term boost for local businesses and to encourage communities to use of their local traders and stores.
Councillor Steve Curran, leader of Hounslow council said: “This is a great campaign and we encourage all residents and those visiting the borough on Saturday to celebrate and support the local shops and businesses we have and the fantastic part they play in our community.
“The more support we can give our local businesses, the more they can thrive and, as a result, the borough also thrives and is more prosperous.
“Christmas is just around the corner and this is the perfect time to see what your local businesses have to offer and to remind everyone that shopping locally throughout the year helps support our borough – it’s all on our doorstep.”
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