AN historic hall in York became a pop-up shopping mall as part of the city’s role in Small Business Saturday.

York Central MP Hugh Bayley – who once ran his own small film-making business – was among those seeing what was on offer at the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall at an event organised by City of York Council and traders’ group Proudly, set up to promote the city’s independent shops.

Locally-produced and handmade products were sold at 45 stalls, with the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Julie Gunnell, and council leader Coun James Alexander joining Mr Bayley to visit workshops and taster sessions at events around the city.

They also met Tina Boden, co-founder of Enterprise Rockers, a network launched in 2012 to provide better links for the UK’s microbusiness community.

“Small independent businesses in York make an enormous contribution to our community and are one of the things which make our city unique,” said Mr Bayley.

“Local people value the choice they get from smaller shops and know they add to the character of the area.

“They are also essential if the high street is to survive when it is up against fierce competition. Supporting small independent traders is essential, and a pound spent with them does so much more for the community than a pound spent with a large national or multinational company.”