TODAY – Saturday, December 2 – is Small Business Saturday, a day to support the local businesses that fill our high streets.

We wanted to showcase some of the many Ceredigion, north Pembrokeshire and north Carmarthenshire small businesses out there and what better way to do so than to ask you, our readers, what your favourite local business is and more importantly – why.

You didn’t disappoint us, recommending dozens of businesses across various sectors including pets, clothing stores and food and drink companies. There was an overwhelming theme of community support, with many people – including businesses themselves - bigging up the local areas as a whole for shopping such as The Groovy Dog Store (who were nominated by Warren & Shires Women’s Clothing Boutique) who said: “There are loads of great businesses in Cardigan – lots of great shopping and some wonderful places to rest your feet and have a cuppa.”

Cardigan Bay Quilts highlighted the local producers market that is held every Tuesday between 9am and 1pm by the Abbey in St Dogmaels. Street Chef also highlighted all businesses, saying: “All small local businesses need to be supported by local people. Being a small business right now is extremely tough so all support is very much appreciated.” Vicky Morgan added: “All the independent stores, cafes and the many others in our fabulous town need our support all year not just at Christmas time! We can not beat a friendly face when we enter their doors!”

Here are some of your suggestions:

Adele’s Café in Cilgerran was quite a popular suggestion, with Michelle Pugh saying: “Food is top quality and the staff are amazing with a lovely atmosphere in the café.” Gail Moore added: “A gem of a place in the middle of Cilgerran. Beautiful food all prepared fresh. Lovely deserts homemade.” Martin Worrall said that it is ‘fast becoming a social hub for the village’ after praising the warm welcome and great food.

Warren & Shires Women’s Clothing Boutique was highlighted alongside La Fontana by Michaela Williams for being family owned and run businesses. Jenny Sturman echoed the sentiment for Warren & Shires saying: “Lovely family run shop. Very helpful and always fully stocked!”

Crafters Cwtch was also popular, recommended by Wendy Lees who said: “A small business on Cardigan high street which not only provides local crafters and artists a place to display and sell their works but also has a strong connection with the local community who regularly visit to buy affordable items from cushions to pictures, pottery to jewellery, greetings cards to dog biscuits and much more. Truly worth a visit if you have never been.”

The Llandysul Art Quarter of Cariad Glass, The Acorn Studio and Oriel Haywire also came highly recommended by our readers as a group and individually.

A number of businesses such as Mundos, U Melt me, Awen Teifi, Bump2Babyshop, Siop y Pentre, The Welsh Wool Shop, Trizaro in Cardigan, Pumpaul Limited, Swanton & Sons Gardening Services, Tom Samways butchers and many more were highlighted by our readers as top small businesses.

Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local' and support small businesses in their communities.