Vaughan supports 'Small Business Saturday'

On December 6th, it was Small Business Saturday. Plaid Cymru Llanelli Westminster candidate Vaughan Williams and his team visited local traders in Llanelli Market to listen to their concerns and ideas about the future of Llanelli Town Centre.

Mr Williams is also currently discussing the Party of Wales consultation document ‘Open for Business’ with local businesses. You can view the document here: http://www.partyofwales.org/open-for-business/

The main concerns raised recently are that of the Labour-led council’s decision of the reintroduced parking fees, business rates/rents and a lack of planning which is having an adverse effect on local traders and their business.

Vaughan said:

“We’ve all seen the effects of the recent economic crisis with our own eyes – and the toll it has taken on local businesses, including in our town centres. Recent statistics are again very concerning and clearly show the need for more to be done.

“On a personal level, I regularly buy and shop locally in Llanelli to support our local economy. To show my support, I decided to launch my campaign in Llanelli Town Centre where I visited businesses in the St.Elli shopping centre and Llanelli Market.

“Small business owners here in Llanelli are working extremely hard in order to keep their staff on despite the difficult economic conditions and pressure that they face. They should be praised and offered assistance for their hard work and commitment on a day to day basis.

“A business rate relief scheme needs to be introduced for local traders, our fully costed ‘Small Business Rate Relief’ scheme would directly help any business with a rateable value of up to £15,000. The scheme would cover 83,000 businesses across Wales and would relieve 70,000 businesses of having to pay business rates at all. By lowering the rents, this will also attract more shops which will help to create jobs and re-build our fragile economy.

“Extra support should be provided to supporting start-up businesses and the development of a Business Improvement District for the Town. We need an array of unique independent shops which can offer something different to what can be found at the out of town retail park in Trostre.

“Additional free parking will also help to attract more people to visit our Town Centre, therefore I am urging Carmarthenshire County Council to review their current arrangements as a matter of urgency.

“I believe it is not too late for the Town but actions are now needed not words. It is time to make protecting jobs and supporting our small businesses an absolute priority.”

Vaughan is keen to hear from local traders and business owners, please contact the Plaid Llanelli office on 01554 770345 or vaughanwilliams@plaidcymru.org