FSB: The capital keeps trade local

The Federation of Small Businesses is launching its national Keep Trade Local campaign across the capital next week to encourage Londoners to support the ailing economy by shopping locally.

In a tour of six London venues, the travelling campaign will raise awareness about the six key pressure points from the Keep Trade Local manifesto. A photography exhibition of independent retailers from across the country will illustrate why our small shops and public houses are so important to our communities in these difficult times, and how they save our high streets from the ‘identi-kit syndrome’.

John Wright, National Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said:

“More than 2,000 small shops are closing a year and 27 pubs close every week. Small businesses are coming under a combination of pressures – not least because of these uncertain economic times. We could lose our traditional shops that serve our everyday needs. Our small shops offer a personal service because they have an understanding about the product they are selling that big chains just don’t. They help create the individuality and quirkiness that London is known for.

“The UK economy is driven by small businesses with 99 per cent of people working in a small business; they truly are the lifeblood of our country. But our cities and towns are creating ‘Clone Town Britain.’ London needs to stand up as a united voice and tell the Government, to Keep Trade Local.”

Notes to Editors

For information, updates and to view the Keep Trade Local manifesto visit the website at www.fsb.org.uk/keeptradelocal. The FSB has also set up a Keep Trade Local Petition on the Number 10 website at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/keeptradelocal/.

To view a sample of the photographs visit www.maxinebeuret.com. The images are under A Nation of Shopkeepers strap line. Images are available for publication through the press office.

The tour will visit six boroughs across London, starting Northcote Road, Battersea on the 11 November 2008. Other areas are: Manze’s Pie and Mash Shop, Walthamstow; Borough Market, Southwark; Wiggies barber, Hornchurch; Cash and Carry, Fair Deal, and Indoor Market, Tottenham; Portobello Road, Kensington.

Over 50 per cent of the turnover of independent retailers goes to the local community, compared with just five per cent from supermarkets. In the UK, 2,000 local shops are closing each year; since 1990 40 per cent of bank branches have closed; 2,500 Post Offices face closure across the country; and around 27 pubs a week, circa four pubs a day, are closing.

For details on the FSB’s Keep Trade Local campaign contact Aviva Bresky at aviva.bresky@fsb.org.uk.

The FSB is Britain’s biggest business organisation with over 215,000 members. It exists to protect and promote the interests of the self-employed, and all those who run their own business. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk.

Contacts:

Stephen Alambritis: 020 7592 8112 / 07788 422155
Sophie Kummer: 020 7592 8128 / 07917628998
Prue Watson 020 7592 8121 / 07825 125695
Marc Shoffman 020 7592 8113 / 07595 067068

For regional FSB contacts please go to www.fsb.org.uk/regions.