Fed meets with Sir Ashley Fox MP in Somerset

The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) met with Sir Ashley Fox, Conservative MP for Bridgwater, on Tuesday, May 5 at the Toy Cupboard store in Burnham-on-Sea to discuss the challenges facing small shops across Somerset and the rest of the UK.

Sir Ashley spoke with the shop’s owner, Kathy Jones; Jeff Savage, the Fed’s South West district vice president; and Douglas Oliver, the Fed’s political engagement coordinator.

The group discussed rising costs and the impact they have on employment, including higher National Insurance Contributions, rising energy bills and the wider cost of living squeeze.

The group also discussed Ms Jones’ concerns about theft and the lack of efficiency involved in police reporting of retail crime which made it difficult for her to raise concerns about theft when they occurred.

Ms Jones said: “It was good to catch-up with Sir Ashley and we discussed some of the problems with rising taxes, a higher minimum wage and theft and the need for a robust response from the police and the difficulties reporting it.

“I also spoke about the seasonal nature of the business at my shop which prospers with toy and holiday sales during the Spring and Summer but has footfall largely driven by news and magazine sales during the quieter part of the year. My shop employs 12 paper boys throughout the week and gives important employment – but the current cost climate makes it hard to support as many staff as I might like.”

Sir Ashley said: “It was good to speak with Kathy and I remain greatly concerned about the impact of high taxation on small business. We also spoke about theft, which is having a serious impact on retailers. Too often these crimes are dismissed as low level offences, but for small businesses the financial cost quickly adds up and staff are too often left feeling intimidated and unsafe. Small business owners work hard, pay their taxes, and deserve to know that criminals will face proper consequences. I look forward to visiting the shop again before long and representing the Fed’s concerns in Parliament.”