The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is to deliver a 55,000 signature pettion to Number 10  Downing Street today to call for governemnt action to protect local businesses.

The Keep Trade Local campaign was launched last year to raise awareness about the need to safeguard shops and the communities they sustain. It is calling upon the government to act on six key issues that are affecting retailers – planning, parking charges, business rates, crime, Post Office closures and public procurement.

“Keep Trade Local has been a great success and the petition received over 55,000 signatures proving that the country cares about the future of our small shops,” said John Wright, FSB chairman. “Small businesses have been suffering from Post Office closures, late payers, planning delays, hidden business crime and a tenuous relationship with the banks.

“At the same time, we have been hit by a recession that is killing over 120 small firms a day,” he added. “The onus is now on local government to ensure that our small firms and high streets thrive.”

Keep Trade Local will also be presented by the FSB at the House of Commons on July 14 at the ‘Local Businesses, Local Solutions’ event, which hopes to highlight the ways local government can help small businesses survive.