There are over 700 small businesses in Norwich; a crucial part of the local economy. Alice Macdonald, Labour Party Parliamentary candidate for Norwich North, is encouraging people to visit independent shops and cafes across Norwich, in celebration of Small Business Saturday, a nationwide event now in its 10th year. Alice says the local area is full of independent, original shops and cafes and is the perfect place to pick up unique Christmas gifts

According to the Federation of Small Businesses, SMEs make up 99% of the business population in the UK and create 16 million jobs. Now in its tenth year, Small Business Saturday celebrates this success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and to support businesses in their communities.  With over 700 small businesses operating in Norwich alone, many residents rely on them for employment making them crucial to the local community and the Norwich high street. 

Labour has recognised the support that small businesses need not only to survive but to thrive. This is why the party has pledged to cut and eventually entirely scrap business rates, replacing them with a new form of business taxation fit for the 21^st Century. 

Labour will make online giants pay their fair share and introduce annual revaluations of business rates, with savings passed on immediately to small businesses. This would support small businesses rebuilding from the crashed economy, and level the playing field between online giants and bricks and mortar businesses. 

Support for the self-employed was also highlighted by Alice as a crucial part of Labour’s pro-worker, pro-business agenda. Labour will extend the protections for self-employed workers including the right to sick pay.

Alice Macdonald, Labour Candidate for Norwich North said: 

“Small Business Saturday is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the contribution small businesses make across our community from providing jobs to training and driving economic growth. It comes just after the Norfolk Business Awards showcased some of the amazing small businesses across our area.

 “Many businesses in Norwich North are facing a really tough time including unfair business rates, supply chain issues and soaring energy costs. A Labour Government would act to provide the vital support small businesses need.”