AN event organised by the Bradford Anti-Poverty Events group to encourage people to spend wisely this festive season has had global success that featured in the national news.

The 'Buy Nowt' international webinar was a partnership event by the Anti-Poverty Events Group, led by Bradford Credit Union.

Two hundred People from across the world booked onto the event and the webinar is now available to watch again on YouTube.

Coverage of the event featured in the National Press, including an article in the Independent.

This was the 5th year of 'Buy Nowt Day' and is an alternative to Black Friday with a Yorkshire Twist that was invented by Artworks Creative Communities.

Leader of Bradford Council Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, who opened the event, said: "I am so pleased to see the success of this event and the hard work that goes in to these each year. These events are not about telling people not to shop but just ensuring vulnerable families don't feel ostracised due to poverty or join in with Black Friday and make up the festive shortfall by getting into debt and possibly turning to predatory lenders.

Bradfordians urged to 'buy nowt' on Black Friday

"This year has been hard for many people and we want to ensure that support is there. The Credit Union is open to help people in our district and I would just encourage people to spend their money wisely, an attribute that as Bradfordians we have. I would also ask that where we can we spend locally and support our local businesses and retailers."

Ian Brewer, from Bradford Credit Union, said: "This year we had participants sharing best practice from the UK and USA in our webinar and it has been our biggest one yet but we really want to get the message across to our residents that we are here to help if you need it. Community Practitioners can also request our ‘Money SOS’ webinar from our Financial Inclusion Officer to help clients by emailing ian.brewer@bdcu.co.uk "