The Mosaic in Trinity Square, Sutton High Street
Sutton shoppers have Social Saturday surprises in store. Sutton High Street will become a social enterprise hub this Saturday, 10 October, to mark Social Saturday.
Shoppers will have the chance to buy from a range of local businesses given a platform to promote, sell and launch their products. Social enterprises in Sutton include the Sutton Community Farm, the Vine Project, and Sutton Voice.
Local organisations including Sutton Council, Successful Sutton, and Social Enterprise Sutton have given their support to the event which hopes to attract people from across the borough and south-west London.
Cllr Simon Wales, Deputy Leader of the Council and social enterprise champion, said:
“Social Saturday is superb chance for residents of the borough to enjoy shopping from local social enterprises and to find great new retailers to support in their local area. We’re really looking forward to seeing a busy high street on Saturday and urge everyone who can make it to come along and help support local social enterprises.”
Social enterprises have a mission to reinvest or donate their profits to create a positive social impact. They may create opportunities for people marginalised from the job market, support development projects around the world, or strengthen local economies.
The annual Social Saturday event is a national celebration of social enterprises. 2015’s event aims to build on the success of last year’s inaugural event The government estimates there are more than 180,000 social enterprises in the UK, employing more than 2m people and contributing billions to the economy each year.
Amanda Edge, Chair of Social Enterprise Sutton, said:
“Social enterprises are extremely valuable for the national economy and for the planet as a whole. They provide jobs and are environmentally sustainable – it’s really important that shoppers support them in the Sutton area and help them to thrive. Sutton is one of only two Social Enterprise Places in London and we’re really happy that shoppers and organisations are working together for a better borough.”