The number of small businesses in Britain has reached six million, a million more than in 2010, the government's Department for Business said Saturday.
Politicians were asked to visit independent business people in their constituencies to celebrate Small Business Saturday.
The special day, now in its fourth year, is aimed at encouraging people to support local businesses. Last year more than 794 million U.S. dollars was spent on the special day in small, independent shops and firms across the country, said a spokesman for the department.
Business minister Margot James hosted a reception at 10 Downing Street with a group of independent business people to kick-start the event. The department spokesman added: "At the start of 2016 there were a record 5.5 million small businesses in Britain, an increase of more than 1 million since the start of 2010.
The latest Business Population Estimates show that these businesses are responsible for 60 percent of private sector employment and contribute 1.8 trillion pounds (2.29 trillion U.S. dollars) in turnover." In towns and cities, events ranged from free car parking for the day to special promotions. In some town centers, visitors and shoppers were offered small Christmas gifts.
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