The Federation of Indepdendent Retailers’ (Fed’s) national vice president, Hemanshu Patel (left), met his local MP, Tony Vaughan (right), at his business Saltwood General Stores near Hythe in Kent on Friday (5 December).
The pair discussed some of the challenges facing independent retail following the budget ahead of Small Business Saturday, which took place this weekend.
Vaughan has been the Labour MP representing the Folkestone and Hythe constituency since last July’s general election and his visit follows a similar meeting in the neighbouring Dover & Deal constituency last month with local MP Mike Tapp.
Hemanshu said of the meeting: “We had an open and frank conversation and I explained the vital role this shop plays as the only one in the village.
“My family and I have run the shop since 1989 and since then other businesses have fallen back, but I continue to provide a friendly local face which customers recognise, as well as things like news delivery and parcel services, and the full range of convenience products people need.
“I also was able to raise certain concerns Fed members have, including the need for more targeted action on the illicit trade by Trading Standards and all branches of law enforcement. We also touched on rising costs which have hit small independent retailers in the last few years and concern about business rate changes.
“The Fed and I look forward to engaging with Mr. Vaughan and his parliamentary colleagues going forward, and he’s promised to collaborate with us on this - especially the work on better enforcement on tackling rogue traders in retail.”
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