Teenager helping Kirklees independent shops and businesses take on retail giants at Christmas

A teenager just starting out in his business career has produced a video urging people to support shops and businesses in the run-up to Christmas.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Sam Teale, 18, of Norristhorpe, runs Sam Teale Productions, a video company based in Cleckheaton.

Sam teamed up with freelance TV researcher Jack Donohoe, 22, to film clips of the people behind eight of the small businesses he works with.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The one-minute video, entitled: ‘Support Local’, aims to show that businesses have real people behind them. It even stars his own grandma, Audrey Teale, as a shopper!

Filmaker Sam TealeFilmaker Sam Teale
Filmaker Sam Teale

Others featured include Michael Tominay, of Mirfield hair salon Boris & Co, Charles Haigh, of Haigh’s Farm Shop in Mirfield and Lauren Pachniuk, of MP Fit.

Sam, a former student at Mirfield Free Grammar School, started out with the idea of making a John Lewis-style Christmas advert.

However, when the second national lockdown happened, he and Jack decided to change their focus to help those small businesses hardest hit by missing out on vital pre-Christmas trade.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The video was launched on Facebook ahead of non-essential shops re-opening after the lifting of lockdown restrictions.

Sam said: “Shops and small businesses have been badly hit this year and I wanted to support those businesses who have supported me.

“With the ending of the second lockdown local shops and businesses only have a few short weeks to make their Christmas.

“I wanted to show that behind every small business there are real people and real families who rely on them. Every sale, even just a few pounds, can make a big difference.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’m really proud of the video and I think everybody will be able to relate to it. It demonstrates the strength of the Yorkshire spirit. We are tough and we just get on with it whatever is thrown at us.

“Shops and businesses have worked so hard to be safe and Covid-secure and they deserve a little help and support.

“My message this Christmas is ‘let’s not shop at Amazon, let’s support local shops instead.’”

Sam offers all kinds of video production services for a range of clients. He’s currently working with schools to produce walk-through videos as open evenings go online.

What more can be done to help small shops survive in the new tier 3 restrictions?

action: Filmaker Sam teale with Charles Haigh, o