BUSINESSS
Rutherglen’s MSP and MP, showed their support to a grass roots campaign aimed at supporting business in the local community.
Labour pair James Kelly and Tom Greatrex visited to the popular Black Poppy coffee shop.
James and Tom helped mark Small Business Saturday by encouraging people to get behind local small business by shopping locally.
The Federation of Small Business initiative is in its second year and took place on Saturday, December 6.
Last year the event helped deliver £460 million of spending for small firms across the UK.
MSP James Kelly said: “Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity to show your support for small businesses in our local community.
“Places like the Black Poppy and many more retailers on our Main Streets are reliant on Christmas trade to fill their order books and I will be doing my bit to make sure retailers are busy.
“The first Small Business Saturday was a great success and there is no doubt that it helped to raise awareness of what small businesses have to offer and gave many of them an important boost in the run-up to Christmas. I would encourage people to do what they can this Christmas and, indeed, throughout the year to support their local traders and small businesses.”
MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West Tom Great rex added: “Independent local businesses provide a friendly face and a warm service to residents and here in Rutherglen, The Black Poppy epitomises that.
“I was pleased to help champion Small Business Saturday at the weekend and enjoyed visiting local shops and cafes in between my advice surgeries.
“The Black Poppy is a popular café but it takes an enormous amount of hard work to keep trading on the high street and build relationships with customers. I am really impressed by Jane and Michael’s work ethic, their passion for fresh ideas and for putting their customers first in everything they do. This December I’ll be taking the hassle out of festive shopping by using local businesses and I hope others will do the same.”
The Black Poppy manager, Jane, thanked James and Tom for stopping by for a visit saying: “I am grateful for the support James and Tom have given us and for highlighting the important role small business can have in communities like Rutherglen.”