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Friday, September 20, 2013
Whitehall is urged to freeze business rates SMALL businesses across the country are being urged by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) to sign a petition calling for a freeze in business rates in 2014/15. In parts of London, unaffordable rates are driving firms out of business or out of the city. Councils and the government should be doing more to help, said one London FSB member who has spoken in support of the campaign. Gareth Jones found himself faced with a sudden demand for more than £30,000 in rates after he and his wife, Natalia, set up their luxury chocolate salon, Alexeeva & Jones, in Notting Hill, last year. He said: “We had to find the money for half of 2012/13 and all
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of 2013/14 within a couple of months or face legal action. “When you’re trying to get a new business off the ground, the last thing you need is the council banging on the door collecting money. It completely strangles cashflow, leaving you vulnerable to the unforeseen events and unable to take advantage of opportunities as they crop up. “In this current trading environment, you’d think the government would show restraint to try to help businesses.” Visit www.change.org/en-GB/ petitions/the-government-freezebusiness-rates-2014-15-5. n CALL: Businessman Gareth Jones is urging small firms to back the FSB’s rate freeze campaign Contributed
Don’t miss out on Ealing’s ‘hidden gem’ EALING Broadway Shopping Centre is a hidden gem offering a mix of high street and independent stores, cafes and restaurants, a gym and of course Ealing Central Library. Whether you are browsing for the latest trends, meeting a friend for coffee or picking up groceries, the shopping centre has something to meet all Ealing shopper’s needs. Plus, with more events on at the weekends including an impressive autumn fashion event and Christmas just round the corner Ealing Broadway Shopping centre is a great place to shop, sip, eat, n LOTS ON OFFER: Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre offers a wide mix of shopping and leisure facilities, including restaurants, a gym and a library Contributed meet and mooch local.
Forge links to create new orders FSB London has a wide range of networking events taking place across London. Ted Wigzell, FSB Central London Branch Chair who organises regular events, said: “Networking is one of the most effective ways for our members to secure new business
opportunities. “Everyone attending my events has the opportunity to give a brief talk about what they do with a view to winning new business.” If you would like more information about Mr Wigzell’s events email tedwigzell@gmail.com.
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Friday, September 20, 2013
Small is big business for local traders’ Saturday
T
HE UK’s five million small businesses are to be the focus of a campaign culminating in the UK’s first Small Business Saturday on December 7. Championed in the UK by Chukka Umunna, the Shadow Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, and already supported by the Prime Minister, the campaign will highlight small business success and encourage consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities. The Small Business Saturday UK initiative has already attracted the support of leading business organisations including the Association of City and Town Management, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Association of Convenience Stores and Ingenious Britain. Mr Umunna said: “We
must do more to celebrate the contribution local, small, independent businesses make to our economy and encourage people to buy from them. “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, play a hugely important role in our communities and add to the unique character of each locality. Sue Terpilowski, FSB London policy chairman, said: “We are supporting Small Business Saturday to highlight just how important small businesses are to our communities. “Small Business Saturday is a good way to get the message to customers that using these high street retailers will benefit the local economy. “Indeed without their help these important drivers and suppliers of goods and services in our daily lives may just disappear. We are urging councils across London to partner with the FSB and encourage residents to help Keep Trade Local.”
Events will be planned throughout the UK in the runup to and on Small Business Saturday UK, including a nationwide bus tour, and small businesses will be encouraged to get involved and create special events themselves to mark the day. Small businesses in the US generated billions of dollars in sales during Small Business Saturday.Figures also show that 47 per cent went out and shopped locally on the day. American Express founded the hugely successful ‘Small Business Saturday’ initiative in the US in 2010 and is an active supporter of the programme in the UK, as part of its on-going commitment to encourage consumers to shop small. More information on Small Business Saturday, participating retailers and n CAMPAIGN: Sue Terpilowski, Federation of Small Business London policy chairman, is urging traders to take part in Small Business Saturday Contributed
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