Kate writes a bi-weekly column for the Burton Mail. This column was originally featured in the 1st December print edition.
Saturday 2nd December is Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday is a grassroots campaign, highlighting the value of small businesses, and encourages all of us to 'shop local' and support independent retailers in our communities. This Saturday, particularly in the runup to Christmas, we are all encouraged to support the small businesses that are the lifeblood of our town centres and local communities by shopping locally.
In Burton and Uttoxeter, we have a fantastic raft of local businesses, independent shops and eateries. As the local MP, I regularly meet with small business owners of our independent retailers, and I am always blown away by their enthusiasm and dedication to their trade. Just recently, I met with the owners of Decorations By Design and Prom and Occasion both located in the Octagon in Burton as well as Foxtail Lily in Uttoxeter. Each of these businesses provides first-class customer service and a unique product, which cannot be matched by large chain stores and online retailers.
In the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement last week, supporting our small businesses and the hospitality sector was a key priority for me. The Government must do all it can to support our high streets which are so critical to local economies, and by extension in Burton pubs and brewers too. I was delighted therefore to see the Chancellor extend business rates relief to 2025, extend the Retail Hospitality and Leisure Relief for a further year, as well as freeze Alcohol Duty. This is on top of the £23.8million I helped to secure for Burton’s town centre regeneration through the Town Deal Fund.
All of these measures will make a meaningful difference to small businesses in Burton and Uttoxeter. Ensuring that small businesses keep more of the money they generate and are in an area residents and visitors want to spend time and money in, will help drive further growth locally.
So, this Saturday, show your favourite local small businesses some love by shopping local and let's show them how much we appreciate them!
