Portsmouth MP Amanda Martin has congratulated this year’s winners of her first ever Local Small Business Awards, sponsored by Checkatrade.
The Portsmouth MP visited Cosham Pets, Bar Aroma, Goodwins Picture and Framing, The Hair Company, The Self Care Retreat, Hartt Cakes, Cosham Grooming and Best Pals Pet Shop and Lumia to present them with their awards for Best Shop, Best Hospitality, Best Health & Wellbeing, Best Professional Service and Best Trade.
Ms Martin also thanked all constituents who nominated their favourite small businesses in our communities and congratulated all organisations and people nominated (list below).
Recent years have been a struggle for our high streets with over 6,000 pubs and 9,000 bank branches closed down, and almost 10,000 local shops shut in 2023 alone.
The new Labour Government is working with businesses to make our high streets safe and vibrant again, stopping violence against shop workers and transforming run-down town centres.
Amanda Martin MP has supported plans to tackle late payments, exempt hundreds of thousands of small businesses from paying any employer National Insurance contributions, and delivering a permanent business rates cut for shops, pubs and restaurants.
Commenting, Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin said:
“Small businesses are the beating heart of Portsmouth’s economy, I’ve been blown away by how many people have nominated the business they get their hair cut at or car serviced or just because they pop in everyday and get great service.”
“I was delighted to pop in to meet a d congratulate all the winners of this years Small Business Awards. Each of them deserving of their win for the service they provide to our economy and community.”
“There is so much more to do to support small businesses in our city and I’ll continue to work hand in hand with our city’s small businesses to ensure they have the firm foundations they need to prosper and grow.”
Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.
The day itself takes place in December each year, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses.
