THE Guardian’s second Knutsford Independents’ Day is just around the corner – on Saturday, July 5 – and businesses involved are gearing up for a bumper day of shopping.

The campaign aims to showcase the fantastic array of independent retailers Knutsford has to offer and encourage residents to support their town centre and shop local.

Some of the businesses taking part are listed on this page, and many shops will be offering fantastic deals to coincide with what promises to be a fantastic day.

Our events team have been busy liaising with the participating businesses and have had special Independents’ Day posters and balloons made to mark the occasion.

Editor Carla Flynn said: “Knutsford is a fabulous place to shop and we want to highlight this on Independents’ Day.

“Last year’s campaign was a huge success and the town centre was buzzing with shoppers. We want to encourage as many readers as possible to go into Knutsford town centre on Saturday, July 5, for the second Independents’ Day campaign and really get behind our local retailers and enjoy what’s on offer on our doorsteps.”

The Knutsford Independents’ Day is inspired by America’s ‘Independence Day’ – hence the campaign’s name – and Mary Portas’ much publicised crusade to help high street shops.

Local shops and service providers boost the local economy (statistics show that money spent locally stays locally), provide genuine choice and are a good environmental option.

It is a huge loss to communities when local businesses close down, but they can only survive if customers spend money.

So let’s work together to help our local independent businesses continue to serve our local communities.

Many of them are run by local people and staffed by local people, and with all the businesses being located within a short walk or drive of your home they will save you the time and money of travelling further afield for the goods and services that you want and need in your day-to-day life.

So help them and help yourself by shopping local, especially on Independents’ Day.

And there’s still time for local businesses to join our Independents’ Day campaign. Simply call 01606 813645.