I'm plessed to support local independent shops and small businesses especially on Small Business Saturday.
I visited The Clock Tower Tea and Coffee House in Warsash this week in advance of the annual event, which takes place this Saturday (5th December), and aims to promote small businesses across the country.
Small businesses are a vital part of British society. I’ve made a special effort to visit a large number of excellent companies in Fareham since I was elected, the vast majority of them being small firms. I also think it is hugely important to support vibrant town centres and village shopping areas, which people value so much, and keeping a good variety of independent shops in places like Warsash, Titchfield and Park Gate is very important.
We have a record 5.4 million in the UK, providing jobs for about half of the private sector workforce. The success of our economy is built on the hard work and determination of the people who run and work for these firms. They deserve our respect and support all year round, so I’m urging local people to support them as part of this campaign as they do their Christmas shopping.
The Clock Tower Tea and Coffee House in Shore Road Warsash is run by Carol Miles from Wickham and employs four people, serving breakfasts, pies, chutneys and home-made cakes. It was great to pop into The Clock Tower this week – Carol and her team do a great job providing a lovely atmosphere, and I really enjoyed my lunch there. Many of their products are home-made or locally-sourced, which just shows how small businesses make a real contribution to the local community.
Now entering its third year, Small Business Saturday is the UK's most successful small business campaign. Last year, 16.5 million people shopped in a small independent business, spending more than £500 million on the day. More than 200 MPs from different parties pledged their support last year. Further information about the campaign and details of this year’s bus tour are available atwww.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com.
Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities. The day itself takes place on the first shopping Saturday in December each year, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses.
Key statistics on small businesses in the UK (from the FSB):
o Small and medium sized businesses (those employing 250 employees or less) make up 99.9% of all private sector businesses in the UK. They employ 60% of the private sector workforce and contribute 47% of private sector turnover.
o Of the 5.4 million businesses in the UK, 5.1 million (or 95%) are micro businesses (those employing 9 employees or less). They employ 33% of all those employed in the private sector and contribute 18% of private sector turnover.
o In 2015, there were 1.9 million more businesses than in 2000, an increase of 55% over the whole period.
o In 2015 there 4.0 million businesses in the services industries, three quarters of all businesses in the UK. The biggest of the service industries in terms of the number of businesses was the professional, scientific and technical industry which accounted for 15% of businesses.
o Manufacturing firms accounted for 5% of businesses, 10% of employment and 16% of turnover.
o In 2014, 20% of SMEs in the UK were majority led by women
Small businesses and local economies
o Small businesses are the bedrock of local communities. They are more likely to employ local people, use local suppliers and contribute to local economic development.
o Research from the Federation of Small Businesses shows that for every £1 spent by a local authority with local small firms, a further 63p is generated for the local economy, compared to only 40p with large local firms and less with larger businesses based further afield.