Plaid Cymru MP for Arfon Hywel Williams and AM Siân Gwenllian have renewed calls on the Welsh Labour Government to cut business rates for small businesses in their constituency as they urge constituents to shop local and support Small Business Saturday.
Small Business Saturday takes place annually and this year will fall on 1st December. The campaign exists to raise the profile of small businesses and the important role they play within communities and serves to encourage people to discover and value these businesses and shop local.
The Plaid Cymru representatives recently joined business owners in Caernarfon to kick-start a campaign urging the Welsh Labour Government to mirror the business rate relief scheme in England in order to help small businesses survive the challenging economic climate.
Ahead of Small Business Saturday, Hywel Williams MP joined Lesley Wills who recently opened the Follow Your Bliss Café on Bangor High Street, whilst Siân Gwenllian AM visited Deb Sagar of Bonta Deli in Caernarfon.
Hywel Williams MP said,
‘Small Business Saturday is an important initiative that encourages people to shop locally at a time of year where consumerism is high.’
‘Small local businesses are more likely to employ locally and will have a better knowledge of what their customers want. You won’t get the same personal touch at the larger stores or online.’
‘This year we are combining our support for Small Business Saturday with renewed efforts to persuade the Welsh Labour Government to cut business rates for small businesses in our constituency.’
‘The message I’m getting from small businesses in Arfon is one of frustration. Too much red tape and frequent inconsistencies in the determination of rates leading to increasing concerns about business profitability and viability.’
‘What small businesses in Bangor, Caernarfon, Bethesda, Llanberis and indeed right across Arfon need is support from both the local community and from government, who ultimately have the power to improve the outlook for many of our small enterprises.’
Siân Gwenllian AM said,
‘When money is spent in local independent stores, that money stays locally, contributing to the local economy and supporting jobs.’
‘Small businesses form the backbone of the local and national economy in Wales, providing employment opportunities and contributing to the regeneration of town centres, as we have seen recently with new, small enterprises opening up in Caernarfon and Bangor town centres.’
‘There is a lot more Government can do to back local businesses, but we as shoppers can also do our bit to support our independent retailers in the lead-up to Christmas.’
‘I’d like to wish Bonta Deli and Feel Your Bliss Café and indeed all small businesses in my Arfon constituency a busy and prosperous Small Business Saturday and an equally successful festive period.’
The petition calling on the Welsh government to cut business rates can be signed by following the link: https://www.cynulliad.cymru/en/gethome/e-petitions/Pages/petitiondetail.aspx?PetitionID=1387
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