FOOTBALL stars have shown their support for local businesses.

Brighton and Hove Albion players Neal Maupay and Pascal Gross popped into independent café Lazy Fin on Brighton seafront.

They were helping to help promote the American Express Shop Small campaign, ahead of Small Business Saturday this weekend.

Over coffee they met Lazy Fin’s owner Matt Andrews to hear more about the start-up journey of this relatively new small businesses and why local support is so important.

Lazy Fin opened its doors in 2019 and is near Riddle And Finns.

Owner Matt said: “It was a pleasure to welcome both Neal Maupay and Pascal Gross down to our coffee shop today.

“Having recently set up as a new business in the area, it’s hugely important to us to get to know the local community and build up our regular custom.

“Receiving this support from the local BHA players has been a huge boost for us.”

Small Business Saturday is dedicated to celebrating and supporting small shops up and down the country.

Striker Maupay said: “Having recently moved to Brighton, and seen what a fantastic city it is to live. I want to support the local businesses that help make it such a great place.

“Encouraging people to support local small shops can only be a good thing.”

Midfielder, Pascal Gross added: “I’ve been living in Brighton for a few years now and love coming to the beach and into the city, bringing my friends and relatives when they come to visit. We will often pop into one of the many small businesses in that area — for a coffee, for lunch, to shop — like we have today. With the sun out, it has made for a wonderful afternoon and days like these are perfect for that here in Brighton. It’s great to see campaigns such as Shop Small backing independent businesses and supporting that culture of the city and the seafront.”