Cat Smith, MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood, and Julie Ward, MEP for the North West of England, have joined Shadow Business Secretary Angela Eagle MP in celebrating the contribution of small firms in Lancaster as part of this year’s Small Business Saturday today, December 5th.
Consumers are being encouraged to ‘shop small’ and celebrate the contribution of entrepreneurs and small firms this weekend.
Launched in 2013, Small Business Saturday brought a boost to local high streets across the country. In 2014, 16.5 million Britons visited a local independent store – 2.7m more than on Small Business Saturday in 2013.
Cat and Julie are backing local businesses to take advantage of the campaign on a key shopping day in the year in the run-up to Christmas and encouraging local people to shop locally in small firms as part of Small Business Saturday. The day aims to give a long-term boost to trade and give a lift to the high streets.
“Lancaster as a city is renowned for its independent businesses,” said Cat, “and I am looking forward to backing our local small shops on Small Business Saturday. We should do all we can to thank them for the vital contribution they make to the local economy.”
Julie Ward MEP said: “I am particularly pleased to use the opportunity of Small Business Saturday to raise awareness of Fair Trade not least because 2015 has been designated the European Year of Development. Lancashire County is a pioneer of the Fair Trade movement with many towns proudly designated as Fair Trade Towns. Lancaster’s Fig Tree, run by entrepreneur Bruce Crowther, demonstrates that businesses can be ethical in the sourcing of their products and remain viable. I would like to thank Bruce for the leadership he has shown at local, national and international level. We need more Small Business leaders like Bruce to step up to the mark and work with us to help alleviate poverty through Fair Trade.”
Angela Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, said: “Small Business Saturday is growing bigger and better every year, it’s such an important day because it puts small businesses in the spotlight and encourages people to shop locally, not only on one of the busiest shopping days of the year but also to encourage a long-term commitment. It provides a great opportunity to thank those who run Britain’s small firms.
“Labour wants to do more to help our risk takers and wealth creators, by helping businesses with the challenges they face on issues like access to finance and late payments. We’ll work in partnership with businesses, entrepreneurs and workers to create a stronger economy.”