It was great to take part in a virtual roundtable with local businesses this morning, organised by the Surrey branch of the Federation of Small Businesses. The FSB has always been a strong voice for SMEs, so it was good to have this opportunity to hear from local businesses including the Trew Art Gallery in Claygate, The 1955 Club café in Walton, and Creative Nature Superfoods.
In the week that many local businesses re-opened, there was a lot of interest in the measures that Rishi Sunak announced last month, including the extended business rates holiday and new grant and loan schemes. Businesses in Elmbridge have benefited from over £130m in loans and £26m in grants so far, and the new measures will further support them to bounce back from the Covid restrictions.
We also spoke about wider issues, such as the exciting exporting opportunities presented by the UK’s newly independent trade policy, and how to boost local high streets in Elmbridge.
My thanks again to Brian Woods and Ray Abrahams from Surrey FSB, and to all the local businesses which took part in the roundtable.