Merton Council’s leader, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, mixed batter for frying fish, decorated cupcakes and served waffles to customers to celebrate Merton’s many small businesses on Small Business Saturday 3 December.

For the fourth year in a row, the council visited a variety of Merton’s small businesses to showcase them and encourage people to support the traders on their doorsteps for Small Business Saturday.

In 2014, Merton was awarded “Best All Round Small Business Friendly Borough”, which is testament to the hard work of the local businesses and the support the council offers local businesses through its comprehensive business support programme.

On Saturday, Cllr Alambritis helped serve coffee at Coffee in the Wood in Colliers Wood, made batter for frying at Adams Fish Restaurant, decorated festive cupcakes at the Willow Bough Tea Rooms and served waffles at Waffle Jacks, all in Wimbledon and all before lunch.

He joined the team at the New Horizon Centre in Pollards Hill for the Christmas fair, served customers at Tag Elezz Café and Takeaway in Mitcham, before heading to Café La Lavella in Morden and the Nelson Arms in Wimbledon.

Cllr Alambritis said: “I had a very varied and fascinating day visiting a few of Merton’s fantastic small businesses to showcase the great work they do on a daily basis. We are a business-friendly borough and want to continue to make Merton a great place to live, work and do business. It is very important to support local businesses and we pride ourselves on doing so.”

For Small Business Saturday, council leader Councillor Stephen Alambritis visited: The Hair Room, Coffee in the Wood,  Adams Fish Bar, Willow Bough Tea Rooms, Waffle Jacks, Commonside Trust, Tag Elezz Café, Café La Lavella, The Nelson Arms pub, South London Printers and Crown House Creative.

Merton Council is providing free parking every weekend up until Christmas Day to encourage people to support their local businesses. 

Based on information supplied by Becky Middleton.