FSB

TOWNS MUST ‘EMBRACE CHANGE’

A Cornish town has been highlighted in a new report calling for the region’s town centres to embrace change.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in the south west has produced a wide-ranging report which urges towns to move away from being an ‘identikit’ of one another, to encourage local pride and to embrace digital initiatives to boost a high street and town centre fight back.

One of the towns highlighted is Liskeard, which is said to be taking practical action such as using social media in a collaborative way to help promote local business and encourage footfall.

The report entitled ‘Freedom, Funding and Fearlessness’, suggests that identity, digital promotion, keeping things local, collaboration and regeneration are the key themes that can drive success for towns in the region. It says towns must have the freedom to work out what they need, the funding to support new initiatives and that sense of “fearlessness” to see how digital innovation and hybrid models can improve their visibility and appeal to residents and tourists alike.

The FSB South West regional chairman, Lee Nathan, said that the vision behind the report was to encourage small businesses operating within local towns to take ownership and feel that they can be part of the solution to help drive change.

“FSB gives a voice to small businesses and our members tell us they are more successful when they are based in vibrant, thriving towns,” he said.

“Our hope is that by drawing out some key themes that appear to engender success in a location this will spark conversations and new initiatives which will not only revitalise towns but also provide new opportunities for those small businesses based within them.”

The report will be formally launched at an online meeting for stakeholders and interested businesses on Monday, April 25 (to sign up email Gioia.Grobler@fsb. org.uk). The report can be downloaded from the firstvoice.fsb.org.uk website.

Entrepreneur and small business champion Martin McTague has been appointed as the FSB’s new national chair, taking over from Mike Cherry, who had held the office for six years.

Tina McKenzie, one of the best-known business figures in Northern Ireland, has been appointed FSB chair, policy and advocacy. The appointments were confirmed following FSB’s annual general meeting last month.

MARTIN TAKES THE CHAIR ARCO2 DELIGHT

Bodmin-based ARCO2 Architecture was again recognised for its green credentials, at the FSB South West Small Business awards.

The firm won the FSB South West Ethical-Green Business of the Year trophy in 2019 and this year they was crowned as champion once again in the same category, which now has the title of the Environmental/Sustainability award.

Ian Armstrong of ARCO2 Architecture Ltd expressed delight at being back on the winner’s rostrum again. “We really didn’t expect to win this year given the people in our category so we are very proud of the team,” he said. “It feels absolutely amazing and is a huge achievement.”

The south west final is one of a number of regional finals place across the UK with all of the winners have now been invited to take part in the national FSB final in Glasgow in May. For more details see www.fsbawards.co.uk

significant barriers which I’m determined to pull down – from growth-inhibiting tax hikes to poor treatment by big business clients.”

McTague first started his own business almost 35 years ago and currently owns and manages three businesses. He is based in Darlington and London.

McTague has for many years been a key figure in advocating on behalf of the small business community, most recently as FSB’s national vice chair, policy and advocacy. He has served as a volunteer with FSB for more than 20 years, alongside running his own businesses. He said: “I’m passionate about promoting and supporting entrepreneurs and giving the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses and selfemployed a powerful voice. These businesses are the beating heart of both the economy and communities right across the country. There has never been a more important time to make sure their interests are represented at the highest levels, as the costs and challenges of running a small business intensify.

“Small firms are absolutely crucial to the economic recovery, bringing innovation and dynamism, creating jobs, growth and opportunities. They account for 60% of private sector employment in the UK and make up 99% of all businesses. But they face

FSB Offer for Business Cornwall Magazine Readers at www.fsb.org.uk/join

If you want to join FSB after reading this page then please quote BCM30 when you join and save £30!