SMALL firms in Worcester are hoping for a boost this weekend thanks to an event which celebrates their uniqueness.

A day of celebration will kick off the Uniquely Worcester campaign tomorrow, which will then run for the rest of the week to promote the diversity of independent businesses.

Visitors to the city centre can enjoy performances from a barber shop quartet, Worcester Male Voice Choir, and Chamber Music @ Worcester, including violinist Shulah Oliver and soprano Kyla Lingley.

Artist David Birtwhistle, who owns art gallery Birties of Worcester, will be painting in Friar Street between 11.30am and 3.30pm.

The campaign has been arranged by the Worcester Business Improvement District (BID), the organisation which promotes trade in the city centre.

Customers buying goods from participating businesses throughout the week will also be able to enter a free prize draw to win a £600 hamper full of products from independent businesses.

Adrian Field, Worcester BID manager, said: “Indep-endents are the life and soul of a city centre and give Worcester its distinct character.

“We want people to know that you can find stockists such as Cath Kidston and fashion designers such as Vivienne Westwood.

“We have the national independent record retailer of the year and a shop dedicated to everything left-handed.”

Mike Linton, owner of Cornucopia in High Street, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this collective effort to show people that there is more to Worcester than just chain stores.

“People are always pleasantly surprised when they come into our shop for the first time and we know that other businesses receive this feedback about them too.

“The Uniquely Worcester event will allow people to explore businesses that they might not have known about before.”

An information point highlighting what is happening and listing the 85 businesses taking part will be outside the Guildhall in the High Street tomorrow.