The Federation of Independent Retailers’ (Fed) national president, Hetal Patel (centre), met with his local MP, Joshua Reynolds (right), at his shop and Post Office at Furze Platt in Maidenhead last week (24 October) to discuss some of the challenges faced by small independent retailers.
Patel outlined the services his business provides, including his Post Office, newspapers and the full range of convenience products, which put him “at the heart of the local community.”
Fed members’ fears about the forthcoming budget were shared and Patel also detailed the challenges caused by the government’s tax increases from the last one, including increases in employer National Insurance Contributions and the reduction in Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief.
Also discussed were the damaging effects that other cost and regulatory pressures and the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill would have on independent retailers and their businesses, along with concerns about retail crime.
Having managed branches of the Co-Op before he entered parliament, Reynolds shared details of his own retail experiences as well as discussing his current work on the Business Select Committee and as Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Investment & Trade in Westminster.
“Given Joshua’s previous experience in retail, many of our concerns are already on his radar and he was sympathetic to them.”
Following the meeting, Patel said: “As my MP - and local councillor - I wanted to thank Joshua for his time visiting my business and listening to my concerns as well as those of our members - particularly some of the costs we face and pressures on margins of the products we sell. Given Joshua’s previous experience in retail, many of our concerns are already on his radar and he was sympathetic to them.
“The Fed is keen to work with members of all parties to support our members and I look forward to further discussions with Joshua around helping independent retailers to survive in the future.”
Reynolds said: “It was great to meet the Hetal at his business in Furze Platt, which is a shop at the heart of the community. He clearly offers a range of important services and it was good to see how busy the Post Office and his shop were.
“Clearly this is a challenging time for small independent retailers like him, but I look forward to working with Hetal and the Fed locally and in parliament in the future.
Also attending the meeting was the Fed’s political engagement coordinator Doug Oliver (left), who said: “It was a really useful meeting. We said that the government was starting to take action on retail crime through boosts to Neighbourhood Policing through the Safer Summer Streets Initiative, but more needs to be done.
“We’re keen for the Government to introduce grants so small retailers can enhance their CCTV and other security measures and to do more to beef up local authority Trading Standards as well as the police. We look forward to working with Joshua Reynolds and his party colleagues in the near future.”
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