Emma Lewell-Buck was out on King Street this Saturday to promote local businesses and attract new visitors to South Shields.
Emma met with local retailers and council officials in the weeks leading up to the day to arrange special offers in local stores including Dicksons and Northern Threads, free parking for shoppers, and a Christmas market selling local crafts.
The event was also a chance to celebrate Shields, and Emma hosted a competition at the South Shields Museum and Art Gallery for local children to win a signed set of books by comedian and Little Britain star David Walliams by writing down their favourite things about South Shields.
South Shields Saturday was part of Small Business Saturday, a national event which saw Labour MPs all over the country promoting local businesses in their constituencies.
Emma took the opportunity to speak to local residents about Labour’s plans to cut and then freeze business rates for smaller firms. The plan will save 1.5 million small firms upwards of £450 a year.
Labour energy price freeze, which will freeze the cost of energy bills from 2015 to 2017, will also save businesses an average £1,800 a year.
More than 99 per cent of businesses in South Shields are small or medium-sized, and firms have told Emma that the £250 rise in business rates due next April could have a significant impact on their finances.
Emma said:
“I was delighted to see King Street so busy, and to see so many people turning out to support local businesses. We have so much going on in our town, and it’s great to see the community coming together to enjoy all that South Shields has to offer.
“The support I’ve had from local business owners has been fantastic, and it’s that entrepreneurial and community spirit that Labour wants to unlock with its plan to cut and freeze small business rates.
“Small businesses are at the heart of our town centre and our local economy, but in some places business rates are so high they now exceed the cost of rent. Cutting business rates will reward dedicated business owners, as well as allowing small and innovative firms to expand and create more jobs in our local area. That’s why I’m a strong supporter of Labour’s plan to lower business rates and help local firms.”