Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers spent time talking to local retailers at the weekend to show her support for Small Business Saturday.
This annual event encourages people to use local shops and services, especially in the run up to Christmas. It started in the US and has grown in popularity in Britain, with an estimated £750 million spent on the day last year.
Among the traders she met, Theresa went to John’s Cycles and Floral and Hardy florists, both on the High Road in New Barnet, and to Oakleigh Pharmacy in Whetstone to talk to staff and owners about a range of issues, including business rates and competition from big online retailers.
She was also at the Christmas Fair in High Barnet on Sunday to show support for local retailers and businesses.
“I have been a vocal supporter of independent shops and Barnet’s town centres for many years, and Small Business Saturday is a great way to raise awareness of our local shops and services,” said Theresa.
“Many businesses are under pressure from online competition, but local high streets and traders have lots to offer, including the kind of personalised service you can never get from an internet retailer.
“In the recent Budget, a substantial cut in business rates for small businesses and a new fund to help local high streets were announced, as well as a new tax on big digital businesses. These were measures I lobbied the Chancellor to implement.
“When I was out over the weekend, there were big crowds and the shops were busy. But if we want our high streets to thrive, we need to support them all year round, not just on Small Business Saturday. It will always be a priority for me to support the local town centres in my constituency.”