AN ANDERTON popcorn maker found himself selling his wares at the first ever Downing Street Christmas market.

Tatton MP George Osborne welcomed Mark White of Anderton-based business Whiteys Gourmet Popcorn to the first ever market held on Saturday, December 6.

The fair was held to marked celebrate the UK’s second Small Business Saturday – aimed at promoting small businesses across Britain the country and encouraging communities to shop locally.

Whiteys was not only one of the 100 small businesses invited to the event but was also invited to be one of just 15 stall-holders showcasing their products and services.

Mark White, who has lived in Cheshire for 26 years, set up Whiteys Gourmet Popcorn in January 2011.

The ‘Whiteys Original’ salty and sweet flavour has since been joined by maple syrup, sweet chilli, cinnamon sweet, lightly sea salted and cocoa varieties. The brand is stocked at farm shops across the North-West and regularly appears at festivals and markets across the region.

Mark White, owner of Whiteys Popcorn, told the Guardian: “I was delighted to be invited by the Chancellor to bring Whiteys Popcorn to Downing Street. It was a great opportunity to showcase my small business and be part of Small Business Saturday.

“The Chancellor’s support for small businesses, including the continued rate relief commitment at this Autumn Statement, has really helped me and I hope Whiteys Popcorn will be able to continue to do well and grow.”

George Osborne, MP for Tatton and Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “It’s great to have a successful local Cheshire business at the heart of Downing Street.

“Whiteys Popcorn is a familiar face in markets and food fairs across Cheshire and the North-West and so I was delighted to invite Mark to represent Cheshire in the Downing Street Christmas Market to celebrate Small Business Saturday.

“Small businesses like Whiteys are the heartbeat of our economy and central to the long-term economic plan. I am pleased to support them through cutting the cost of business rates, meaning 385,000 pay nothing, reducing the burden of red tape and giving them the support to grow.”