Christmas is coming and we think it’s a perfect time to celebrate Haringey’s local businesses – that’s why we’re offering free parking in the borough for Small Business Saturday.

Parking will be free in council car parks and pay-by-phone bays in town centres all day on December 2 to encourage residents to head to Haringey’s shops and snap up some festive gifts.

There’s loads happening on the day, including a Christmas market at Blue House Yard and a Winter Arts Market at the Chocolate Factory, where local artists and makers will display and sell their creations.

A group of local businesses, known as the Business Improvement District Steering Group, have organised music and entertainment along Wood Green High Road and there will be a Christmas tree switch-on in Wood Green at around 4.45pm.

Tottenham is also hosting a Winter Festival, where local businesses will showcase great food, drink and products. And this will coincide with an Etsy Made Local Tottenham event, with unique craft stalls filling up Tottenham Town Hall.

Crouch End is also holding a daytime craft market, with a tree unveiling and lights switch-on at around 5pm.

Cllr Peray Ahmet, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “In Haringey we have a huge range of small local businesses and this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate them. Whether you’re looking for a gift or just fancy a day at the shops, we hope that offering free parking will encourage residents and visitors to come and check out some of the brilliant, talented and creative traders we have in our borough’s town centres and help to support Haringey’s high streets.”

Harry Rashid, Chairman of the Business Improvement District Steering Group, said: “The BID Steering group is proud to have played a part in organising events and entertainment during the festive season.”

Small Business Saturday is a national campaign which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to shop local and support small businesses in their communities. Read more about it here: https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/

There are many other events being held over the festive period – find out more here: http://www.haringey.gov.uk/news/lighting-haringey-christmas-events-across-borough

For more on Tottenham’s Winter Festival, visit: http://www.haringey.gov.uk/news/christmas-comes-tottenham

There’s more on Blue House Yard here: https://www.bluehouseyard.com/

Read more about the BID here: https://futurewoodgreen.com