THE first Small Business Saturday event in Okehampton gave businesses 'something to build on' after a mixed reaction to the event.

The inaugural Small Business Saturday on December 7 celebrated small businesses across the country, and was the culmination of a campaign to encourage communities to shop locally.

More than 20 Okehampton businesses took part in Small Business Saturday, marking the event by offering promotions, including generous discounts, free prize draws and children's activities.

Mark Turner from Donald's Menswear played a big role in organising the Okehampton event. He said: 'Speaking to business owners here, it seems like the outcome was 50/50 really. Some had a very good day, while others did not have so much of a good day. In Donald's we had a good day, but only one person took up the special offer, so it may have just been a busy day.

'The town itself was busy at times, and quiet at others. I think the problem was there were lots of other things going on, like the Ruby Country Market in Hatherleigh. There was also no added bonus of free parking from West Devon Borough Council, which didn't help.

'In the United States, the event has steadily grown and grown and grown. We hope in the UK and in Okehampton it can do the same. This year gave us something to build on, and we hope it can do better next year.'

Donna Tombs from Rockin' Beads felt that other events impacted on the success of Small Business Saturday for their business. She said: 'For us personally, it didn't go so well because as a craft shop, Christmas craft fairs are going on and drawing people away. We did our offers, and people who did come in were very pleased.

'The people we spoke to were very interested in hearing about Small Business Saturday, but I am not sure what effect it had.

'The town was quite quiet, and I have had a mixed response. I have heard some shops did very well, but others did no better than any other Saturday. It is a shame, because it was advertised so well nationally, it just seems there was too much else going on.'

One trader who did find the day a success was Jean Swift from Abstract. She said: 'It was a good day. People saw the promotion poster, and on the day we had almost twice as many customers as normal, so it seems to have gone very well indeed. People were interested to hear about Small Business Saturday, and were in favour of supporting their local shops.'

Before the event took place, organisers had contacted West Devon Borough Council to ask if they could offer free parking in its pay and display car parks on Market Street and Mill Road. The council refused, but Okehampton Town Council offered free use of its Simmons Park car park for the day.

'We hope that next year, West Devon Borough Council will offer its support and provide free parking,' said Mr Turner. 'I think it would have helped to draw a few more shoppers in, but hopefully they will support us next year.'