On Saturday, 2 December, Member of Parliament for Chelsea & Fulham, Greg Hands took part in Small Business Saturday. Greg was keen to show his appreciation for the contribution that small businesses make to the local and national economies.
As Minister of State at the Department for International Trade, Greg is no stranger to the fact that it is the Conservatives who are on the side of business, whether it be local, national, or international. And so, this weekend saw the fifth year of Small Business Saturday, the Government’s campaign to encourage us all to shop locally and to support our small businesses.
This year, Greg visited several shops on Fulham Road, namely Herald and Heart Hatters, Vizability, Parson’s Nose Butcher, and Indian Summer gift shop, as well as Don Bigote Barbers on Fulham High Street. Greg also took the chance to drop in to Emma Bridgewater, which is going from strength to strength.
There are more than one million more small businesses in the UK than there were in 2010, and small businesses employ more than sixteen million people across the country. In his recent budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer showed that the Conservatives have listened to businesses and responded to their number one request: to take action on business rates relief.
The package announced in the Budget last month will reduce business rates for small businesses to the tune of £2.3 billion over the next five years. More specifically, the £90 million lending milestone for London microbusinesses will go a long way in supporting their work and helping them grow.
Speaking after visiting these local businesses, Member of Parliament for Chelsea & Fulham, Greg Hands, said: “Small Business Saturday is a great way to champion local businesses, and I was really pleased to have met so many business owners today. As a Government minister, I know that this Conservative Government is backing small businesses, since they’re the lifeblood of our local communities.
“I’m delighted to have visited these local shops today. In Chelsea and Fulham we can be really proud of our unique small businesses, which are vital not only to our neighbourhood’s character, but also to the health of the local economy. This Saturday, in the run up to Christmas, is the perfect opportunity for Londoners to support their local businesses, so let’s all celebrate the huge contribution our small businesses make to our country and get out, brave the cold and support them tomorrow!”
More information on the Government’s support to grow local businesses can be found here.