Stagecoach backs Small Business Saturday

Stagecoach South West is urging Exeter residents to ‘shop local’ and support independent stores on ‘Small Business Saturday’, today.

The bus company donated 200 Exeter Dayrider tickets – dated for 6th December only - to ‘Exeter Trails’, a collection of independent businesses across the city. Customers have been snapping  them up across the week ready to enjoy a day of free, unlimited travel on the big day.

Exeter Trails businesses have tweeting about the offer all week, asking customers to visit the relevant shop and either quote a tweet or answer a ‘weird and wonderful’ question in order to get a free ticket. 

Stagecoach and Exeter Trails both hope their partnership will give a boost to independent stores in the run up to Christmas.

Helen Scholes, Marketing Manager at Stagecoach South West, said: "The Exeter Trails guides are a fantastic way to explore both the city and the amazing array of small, independent businesses within it - exactly the kind that the Small Business Saturday initiative supports.

“I hope everyone has lots of fun answering the questions on Twitter and claiming their free travel. Of course, even if you're not one of the lucky ones, an Exeter Dayrider is only £3.60 for a whole day of unlimited travel."

Small Business Saturday supports, inspires and promotes small businesses in communities across the UK and businesses across all of the five Exeter Trails are getting involved. Details of each trail can be found online at www.exetertrails.co.uk.

The initiative comes as Stagecoach announces it is set to support the second year of Exeter Trails by helping to sponsor the new trail leaflets due in early 2015. The five Exeter Trails guides are packed with information on independent stores, with easy-to-use maps, and cover ‘Activities and Hobbies’, ‘Bygones and Boutiques’, ‘Café Culture’, ‘Creativity’ and ‘Food Glorious Food’.

Mattie Richardson, of Bunyip Beads on Fore Street, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Stagecoach on the second edition of the Exeter Trails maps. We are so excited that this project is continuing to support Exeter's fabulous and vibrant Independent community.”

‘Exeter Trails’ was started by a group of small business owners and supported by Exeter City Council. Some of the dozens of shops and cafes involved include The Real McCoy, The Real Food Store, Saddles & Paddles, Cafe at 36 and Bunyip Beads & Buttons.