Can someone help the Dame?
In her last Update, Felicity Buchan showed a picture of a reception at the Commons for 'Kensington Business Champions.'
Quite who these people are is a mystery.
This Conservative government has in its 13 years done nothing to reform Business Rates and the result is that just since 2018
British Retail Consortium says every week 23 shops/businesses closed mainly as a result of Business Rates and
Since 2018 6000 retail shops have closed.
Helen Dickinson, CEO of BRC says 'crippling business rates' were a major factor.
The Labour Party have committed to reform of Business Rates saying they hollow out town centres.
If Felicity looks about Kensington she will see for herself that her government's disinterest in reform has bashed the retail sector.
The reason for Conservative indifference is that small business has no voice or vote.
Attendees were Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Innocent Drinks, Natural History Museum, the Playground Theatre, C. Lidgate, Santi, Josh Wood Colour, Mollie Rose Bakery, Ruuby, FLOWERBX, Caroline Castigliano, Samantha Cusick London and Mozafarian Jewellers ....these are hardly companies that represent small/medium size shops. These are either huge or well established companies.
ReplyDeleteHarrods...Qatar....Harvey Nicks...Chinese...Innocent Drinks....USA. Mozafarian....Iranian Flowerbx....American. The point I am making is that this was a networking event for the businesses that can withstand hard times. How about champions who can help small local start up struggling to survive because of crusing business rates etc. Felicity, helping big biz is not what we expect.
ReplyDeleteI do not know any SME that was invited in the area say Earl's Court , these were all business with money who were asked , not businesses knocked for six by Covid and now the cost of living with its higher energy prices, interest rates and cost of goods from suppliers.
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