YORK Outer MP Julian Sturdy was just one of many people banging the drum on behalf of small businesses at the weekend.

On Small Business Saturday customers across the country were urged to shun the big chain shops and large department stores in favour of local businesses owned by individuals or small groups of people when doing their Christmas shopping.

The Tory MP met with a variety of local businesses. He said: “I am delighted to again be involved with Small Business Saturday, and to have had the opportunity to meet the hard working employees, managers, and owners of local businesses.”

Mr Sturdy’s background in farming meant that he was particularly interested in meeting with Ed Sykes, who runs The Farmer’s Cart in Strensall.

Between April and October of this year, The Farmer’s Cart had 60,000 visitors from far and wide to their new ‘Piglets Adventure Farm Park’.

The 152-acre farm lies at the heart of everything that goes on at The Farmer’s Cart, with strong links to the on-site farm shop and café, supplying everything from fresh produce to meats from the butchery.

Mr Sturdy also met with Richard Harrison and his team at Haxby Group Pharmacy, who have had tremendous success since their opening in November 2010.

The pharmacy is independently operated, and its rapid growth has seen Haxby Group Pharmacy become one of York’s busiest pharmacies, creating a total of 26 jobs.

Richard Harrison attributed much of the growth and success of the pharmacy to the National Apprenticeship Scheme. The pharmacy has just taken on its tenth apprentice, with 6 having gained full-time employment and the other 4 still in training.

Mr Sturdy met Chris Cooper of Blue Box Support at another successful local business, “No 50,” a Coffee Shop in Haxby. Blue Box Support is a small company which provides IT solutions for small businesses across York and North Yorkshire. The company was set up in 2012, and now has around 30 clients and is continuing to expand following a strong up-turn in 2013.

Meanwhile, Anne McIntosh, Conservative MP for Thirsk, Malton and Filey who also chairs the parliamentary select committee that oversees rural matters, joined local businesses in Helmsley.

Miss McIntosh said: "Small Business Saturday builds on the success of last year. Food shopping in the run up to Christmas is a priority and no-where is there a better choice of what food to buy than Helmsley. Also, when looking for that special gift, shoppers are spoilt for choice from Libby Butler Jewellers to gift shops and Browns.”

Customers were out in force at the weekend preparing for Christmas and doing their weekly shopping, with many choosing to go to specialist or small businesses.