A NEW scheme has been launched to help support Oxford’s small businesses.

Oxford City Council has launched a Culture Card initiative offering shoppers 10 per cent discounts at independent traders.

Shoppers can also benefit from discounted parking at the Westgate today and next Thursday.

The scheme is part of Small Business Saturday, a national drive to encourage people to shop at small businesses rather than in chain stores.

Council leader Bob Price said: “We have plenty of small businesses in Oxford and we want to encourage these to flourish and get the recognition they deserve.

“We have the Covered Market as well as the many independent traders around the city. This gives Oxford a unique shopping experience. It is important to support local and small businesses as our high streets could end up looking similar and the unique aspect of Oxford could disappear.”

More than 20 small businesses are taking part in the card scheme.

Card holders will also be able to park in the Westgate multi-storey car park for just £2.50 from 2pm today and next Thursday.

Holly Dutton is manager of Exclusive Roots fairtrade shop in Woodstock Road, which is taking part in the scheme.

She said: “We are an independent and also a charity so it is about creating more awareness for our shop.

“Anything that we can get in a group and do together as independent shops is a good thing.”

The council will be holding drop-in sessions at the Town Hall in St Aldate’s tomorrow when small businesses can get advice from bodies such as Experience Oxfordshire, which will offer firms help on tourism business opportunities.

A Meet the Buyer event will be held on Tuesday, January 28, where small business suppliers can meet organisations and buyers in the public sector.

To pick up a card, go to oxfordschristmas.com

For more small business information, see today’s Oxford Mail supplement

BUSINESSES taking part are:

Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Carfax

David Clulow Opticians, Cornmarket

West Cornwall Pasty Company, Cornmarket

Argenteus Jewellery, Cornmarket

The Pie Shop, Golden Cross

Austin Reed, Cornmarket

Lush, Cornmarket

Gap, Cornmarket

LK Bennett, Cornmarket

Crew Clothing, High Street

Gerry Weber, High Street

Hobbs, High Street

Oxford University Press Bookshop, High Street

Jigsaw, High Street

Karen Millen, High Street

Coast, High Street

The Shop at The Old Fire Station, Gloucester Green

Mortons, New Inn Hall Street

To Be Healthy Clinic, Westgate Centre

Visit Oxfordshire, Broad St

Exclusive Roots, Woodstock Road

Fresh, Covered Market

The Garden, Covered Market.