This weekend saw hundreds of Small Business Saturday events which celebrated the efforts of small firms across Wandsworth and the UK. Local businessman and Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Tooting, Dan Watkins, visited traders on Bellevue Road and Ritherdon Road and gave them his support by launching the 2015 Love Your Local competition.
Love Your Local is an opportunity for residents in Tooting, Balham and Earlsfield to vote for their favourite local shops and restaurants. Last year's contest saw a thousand entries, with local businesses offering some fantastic prizes for those taking part. Residents can vote by visiting www.LoveYourLocalShops.com
Dan Watkins said:
“Nationally, the Government has helped small shops by lowering their rates and taxes, which keeps prices down for shoppers and is great for boosting the local economy. The impact of these policies been felt in Wandsworth, with companies expanding and taking on new staff and unemployment falling by over a third in the past four years.
“Smaller retailers give our communities character, but they're also creating jobs here in Tooting and growing our economy. So it's right that we help our small shops by reminding residents of the importance of using them.”
Robert Alexander of The Inside Man on Bellevue Road, said:
“Last year the government gave small shops a helping hand with £1,000 rate relief. We were all pleased to see this week’s announcements that the relief will rise to £1,500 this year with a review to follow on reforming business rates. I hope this will allow our high streets to better compete against online and national retailers.”
Owner of Sugar Bag Blue and Tickled Pink, Amanda Dickinson, added:
“We were delighted that Sugar Bag Blue won Best Gift Shop in the Earlsfield Love Your Local awards last year and are hoping local residents will vote for us so we can go one better and win the whole competition this time!”.