Four Welsh Conservative AMs were in Swansea Market this week to support local traders, listen to their concerns and show there is an alternative to the online shopping craze known as Cyber Monday.
Days before Small Business Saturday, the AMs met upwith small traders at the peak of the Christmas shopping season to discuss how small businesses can maximise Christmas trade and how the Welsh Government could promote growth.
The visit came days before Small Business Saturday, when people across the UK will be encouraged to shop locally and support their local small businesses.
Last year, Welsh Conservatives unveiled a Vision for the Welsh High Street, an ambitious set of proposals to reform business rate relief, improve access to local businesses and tackle the blight of empty shops.
Byron Davies AM, Shadow Minister for Regeneration, said, “Small businesses make up over 99% of all businesses in Wales, but unfortunately they’re not getting the support they need from the Welsh Labour Government.
“Last year, there were proportionally fewer business start-ups in Wales than any other part of the UK, suggesting the Welsh Government has failed to encourage entrepreneurship or do enough to promote economic growth.
“In the build up to Small Business Saturday, an opportunity to highlight the benefits of buying quality products and services locally, it is timely to support small traders like those in Swansea Market.
“Welsh Conservatives are on the side of small business and have pledged to abolish business rates for all small businesses and have an ambitious set of proposals to revitalise the Welsh high street and create the conditions in which the private sector can prosper.
“We want to improve access to the high street, tackle the blight of boarded up and vacant shops and make the high street a more attractive place to shop and do business.
Suzy Davies AM, Welsh Conservative Policy Director, said, “There is an alternative to ‘Cyber Monday’ and that alternative has a friendly face across a shop or market stall.
“While some people appreciate shopping at the click of a button, many know that there is no substitute for seeing what you’re buying, especially quality local produce, from a renowned independent trader.
“Small traders are telling us that unfair business rates are a barrier to business expansion and make it more difficult to stay in business, especially in the dark winter and spring months after Christmas.
“Visiting Swansea Market and listening to the concerns of small traders first hand is further evidence of Welsh Conservatives taking notice of the people’s priorities and bringing forward considered proposals to get our economy moving.
“Labour Ministers should get out of their ivory tower and come down to Swansea Market and other vibrant small business hubs to listen to traders and act on their concerns to make it easier for small businesses to expand and create new jobs.”
