Christmas-themed offers are now available in shops which have signed up to the council's Richmond Card offer as part of the Small Business Saturday initiative.

The range of discounted special gift ideas, from Christmas decorations to health and beauty products, is exclusive to the Richmond Card.

The new offers have been made available in time for Small Business Saturday, a grassroots, non-commercial campaign that highlights small business success.

The idea behind Small Business Saturday is to encourage consumers to support small businesses within their communities, Richmond Council said.

This year’s Small Business Saturday will happen on December 3.

The Richmond Card regularly has more than 150 offers from local independent businesses that are available for residents of the borough by showing their Richmond Card when they make a purchase.

Richmond Council's cabinet member for environment, business and community, Councillor Pamela Fleming, said: "Richmond is brimming with independent businesses that provide a range of unique products and services that you simply can't buy elsewhere.

“So shop local this Christmas, get down to your local high street shops for small business Saturday and lend your support to the local economy and business sector."

Richmond-based entrepreneur Krissy Balingit, who runs online fashion store KRISSYBSTYLING, said: “The Richmond Card is fantastic for local businesses and great for the local economy.

“It keeps residents shopping local and showcases the range of unique and independent businesses that are open across the borough.”

For more information on the Richmond Card call Richmond Council on 020 8487 5388.