This week we see the return of Small Business Saturday, a fantastic initiative to highlight the wonderful small businesses across my constituency.

From local foods and drinks, clothing, shoes and stunning gift shops, Romsey and surrounding villages and towns have a huge amount on offer. On Saturday morning I look forward to visiting La Bella Donna in Stockbridge, a wonderful boutique shoe shop which is always a firm favourite of mine. Also in Stockbridge are the award-winning John Robinson Butchers as well as Prego Deli whose owners are putting on a Christmas Lunch for those who might be without family on Christmas Day – at no cost to them.

Later in the day I’ll be heading in to Romsey to visit more of the thriving shops in town before joining many constituents at the George’s Trust concert in Romsey Abbey. George O’Brien tragically died aged 17 of acute lymphoblastic lymphoma and the trust was set up by his family and over the past 5 years has awarded £60,000 to the Teenage Cancer Trust in aid of their Southampton cancer unit.

I always try to support this lovely evening which does so much to raise money for an incredibly important cause.

Next week we find ourselves a step closer to Christmas with the start of late night shopping in Romsey. Of course, the shops don’t merely stay open a little later, we will also see the fantastic lantern parade and traditional rescue of Father Christmas who continually finds himself stuck in the town hall!

Caroline Nokes MP