In Saxmundham, Small Business Saturday comes along at the same time as the town’s Father Christmas afternoon.

Ken Howe, chairman of the Saxmundham Business Association and vice chairman of the town council, said: “I think small businesses in a way are vital to any small town, as they are a hub of the high street.

“We have got a Tesco and a Waitrose which has shifted the high street a bit but I think we’re lucky enough to have a reasonable variation in the shops we have.

“We’ve got clothing shops, shoe shops, one or two hairdressers, a butchers, several newsagents, hardware stores and service industries like banks in our high street.

The Father Christmas afternoon, put on by high street shopkeepers, will see a procession from St John’s Church at about 3pm down to Fromus Square, where carol singing will take place.

Father Christmas will also be on hand during the afternoon, handing out gifts to children, as well as a number of stalls with assorted items, not just for the festive period. Refreshments will also be available. The event runs until around 5.30pm.

Mr Howe said this year’s event was a new look as a more traditional version, and added: “I think the shop keepers certainly give the event more of a community spirit feel because everyone gets out to the street.”