(L-R) Viral Joshi, Mike Tapp and the Fed’s political engagement coordinator Doug Oliver
Kent retailer Viral Joshi laid bare the issues affecting him and his fellow independent retailers when he met with his local MP last week.
Joshi explained the important role small independent shops play in their communities when Dover and Deal MP, Mike Tapp, visited The Village Shop in St Margarets At Cliffe, Kent, on Friday (14 November).
The retailer - a member of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed’s) South East district who also sits on the organisation’s executive council - took the opportunity to discuss the challenges that retailers face, such as retail crime and rising costs, along with ways the Government can lend support.
After the meeting, Joshi said: “I’d like to thank Mike Tapp for visiting my business, along with his team. We talked about the products I offer and the central role of the business to life in St Margaret’s at Cliffe.
“We discussed the success of the shop in recent years and sales - which remain strong - but also the challenges associated with rising costs, as well as counterfeit goods. He’s welcome to visit any time.”
Tapp added: “It was great to meet with Viral on Friday and hear about the value of his business to the people of St Margaret’s at Cliffe, and the central role members of the Fed play in their communities around the country.
“We discussed the government’s work to tackle retail crime and the challenges and opportunities facing small retail business at this time.I look forward to working with Viral and the Federation in the future.”
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