George Phillips owner of March-based Phillips Hobbies urges support for small firms to mark Small Business Saturday

A local entrepreneur has highlighted the importance of shopping small and supporting independent businesses.

The weekend marked Small Business Saturday UK, a day dedicated to celebrating and supporting small businesses across the country.

George Phillips, who runs the March model shop Phillips Hobbies, used the day to highlight the need for people to support small independents like his business.

George’s passion for small business began early - he launched Phillips Hobbies when he was just 13 years old.

Last year, the company was recognised as one of the UK’s most impressive small firms by the Small Business Saturday campaign.

This year, the focus was on his new shop, which opened in September on Thorby Avenue, March Enterprise Park.

Phillips Hobbies stocks a wide range of traditional hobby products, including Hornby model railways, diecast models, Scalextric cars, plastic model kits, jigsaw puzzles, construction toys, and farm toys. George’s mission is to help people rediscover the joys of traditional hobbies.

His shop aims to inspire customers of all ages to explore hands-on, creative pastimes that bring people together and spark the imagination.

Reflecting on the challenges small businesses currently face, George said: "It’s a challenging time for many small businesses, but there’s also so much hope and opportunity when communities come together to support their local firms. Christmas trading is absolutely vital for the survival of many independent businesses, including mine.

“Shopping small isn’t just about making a purchase—it’s about investing in your community, supporting job creation, and helping independent businesses to thrive. This Saturday was a great chance to show that support, not just for my shop but for all small businesses in March and beyond."

Phillips Hobbies celebrated Small Business Saturday with extended opening hours.

The importance of small businesses in the UK cannot be overstated. Michelle Ovens, director of Small Business Saturday UK, highlighted this, said: "Small businesses like Phillips Hobbies deliver incredible value across their local community and the wider economy. Public support is absolutely vital for small businesses across the UK, so we urge everyone up and down the country to get behind them on Small Business Saturday and beyond."

George added: "Small Business Saturday is a fantastic reminder of the power we all have as consumers. By choosing to shop small, we can all make a real difference—not just to local businesses, but to the communities they serve. I’m excited to welcome customers to Phillips Hobbies and to see people out and about supporting other local firms in March too."

A grassroots, not-for-profit campaign, Small Business Saturday was originally founded by American Express in the U.S. in 2010. American Express remains the principal supporter of the campaign in the UK, as part of its ongoing support and commitment to encouraging consumers to shop small.

On Small Business Saturday, customers across the UK go out and support all types of small businesses, online, in offices, and in stores; from independent shops and restaurants to small service and b2b businesses like accountants and plumbers.

Running for over a decade, Small Business Saturday is the UK’s most successful business campaign, engaging millions around the value of small businesses and seeing billions of pounds spent with small firms on the day.

Dan Edelman, general manager, UK Merchant Services at American Express, said: “With the festive period fast approaching, it’s heartening that public support for small businesses remains strong. Small Business Saturday is a campaign that remains as important now as when it first began.

“That’s why American Express is proud to champion the nation’s much-loved independent businesses as a principal supporter, encouraging the nation to shop small.”

Phillips Hobbies is located in Unit 6 March Enterprise Park, Thorby Avenue, March, PE15 0BD, and is open most days in the lead-up to Christmas.

For more information about Small Business Saturday, visit www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com.