Matt Western, MP for Warwick and Leamington, visited small business owners in his constituency to mark the tenth anniversary of Small Business Saturday.

Mr Western called in on a number of businesses in Warwick, Leamington, Lillington and Whitnash on Saturday (3 December).

According to the Federation of Small Businesses, SMEs make up 99% of the business population in the UK and create 16 million jobs. Small Business Saturday celebrates their success and encourages consumers to 'shop local' and to support businesses in their communities.

Small businesses have been hit particularly hard in recent months as the increasing cost-of-living impacts their business with increasing shop rents, soaring energy bills and supply chain issues.

Matt Western said: "It always great to pop into some of our great local retailers in Warwick, Leamington, Whitnash and villages. We're lucky to have so many fantastic small businesses on our doorstep who provide such a range of products.

"It's been a tough few years for small retailers during the pandemic and now cost-of-living crisis as all aspects of their business costs are increasing – rent is soaring, energy bills skyrocketing and supply chains being disrupted."

Mr Western visited a variety of local shops including greengrocers such as Powell's on Lansdowne Street, Gaia Wholefoods and Greenbean on Smith Street.

Pictured at Warwick Sports. Photo courtesy of the Office of Matt Western MP.

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He also dropped into Quigley's Butchers in Lillington, Regency Fisheries, One Stop in Whitnash and Bread & Co in Warwick. As well as getting early Christmas presents at Warwick books and Warwick sports.

The Labour Party has recently announced plans to cut and eventually entirely scrap business rates, replacing them with a new form of business taxation that they feel is fit for the 21st Century.

Mr Western stated that Labour will make online giants pay their fair share and introduce annual revaluations of business rates with savings passed on immediately to small businesses to allow them to rebuild from the crashed economy.

On local businesses, he added: "I know this winter is going to be difficult for people all across the constituency but if you are able to, please support them over the festive season."