FSB launches Keep Trade Local tour
FSB logo for press releases
Friday, 29, Aug 2008 12:00
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is launching its UK wide Keep Trade Local photography tour next week to raise awareness about the need to safeguard the future of small independent shops and the communities they sustain.
The whole tour is being sponsored by the Arts Council England. An array of photographs, illustrating independent retailers from across the country, will be hung in disused shops and town centre market days to echo how the spaces could be better utilised but for small businesses being driven out of our high streets.
John Wright, FSB National Chairman, said:
“Over 42% of our towns and villages no longer have a shop of any kind and by 2010 many local communities will have no small shops or services. Small businesses are coming under pressure from a combination of factors – not least because of this uncertain economic climate. The Government will only listen to a united voice from communities and businesses across the country.
“Local shops are the heart of our communities. With over 2000 shops closing each year, the Keep Trade Local tour will ensure people in town centres are discussing ways to keep them alive.”
Maxine Beuret, Keep Trade Local photographer, said:
“These small shops offer a personal service because they have an understanding about the product they are selling that big chains just don’t. The shopkeeper can give you the knowledge about the product they are selling, be it a cut of cheese or vintage dress, because such products are almost always locally sourced and hand-picked.
“These photos represent the richness and resources that independent shops bring to town centres and prove that local retailers are vital to our communities.”
Notes to Editors
For information, updates and to view the Keep Trade Local manifesto visit the website at www.fsb.org.uk/keeptradelocal. The FSB has also set up a Keep Trade Local Petition on the Number 10 website at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/keeptradelocal/.
To view a sample of the photographs visit www.maxinebeuret.com. The images are under A Nation of Shopkeepers strap line. Images are available for publication through the press office.
The tour will visit eight regions across the UK, starting Melton Mowbray in Leicester on the 2nd September 2008. Other regions are: Haslemere, Surrey; Castle Market, Sheffield; Truro, Cornwall; Darlington, County Durham; Coventry, Warwickshire; Huntley, Gloucestershire; and Harleston, Norfolk.
Over 50% of the turnover of independent retailers goes to the local community, compared with just 5% from supermarkets. In the UK, 2000 local shops are closing each year; since 1990 40% of bank branches have closed; 2500 Post Offices face closure across the country; and around 27 pubs a week, circa 4 pubs a day, are closing.
For details on the FSB’s Keep Trade Local campaign contact Aviva Bresky at aviva.bresky@fsb.org.uk.
The FSB is Britain's biggest business organisation with over 215,000 members. It exists to protect and promote the interests of the self-employed, and all those who run their own business. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk.
Sponsors of the Keep Trade Local tour are the Arts Council England. The Arts Council England is the national development agency for the arts in England, distributing public money from Government and the National Lottery in support of the arts.
Contacts:
Stephen Alambritis: 020 7592 8112 / 07788 422155
Prue Watson 020 7592 8121 / 07825 125695
Marc Shoffman 020 7592 8113 / 07595 067068
For regional FSB contacts please go to http://www.fsb.org.uk/regions
Disclaimer:
Press releases published on this page are from key opinion formers who promote their
organisation's activities by subscribing to a campaign site within politics.co.uk.
politics.co.uk does not endorse, edit, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed
on this page. The content of press releases are wholly the responsibility of the
originating company or organisation.