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Published:
December 1, 2008
Burnham-On-Sea
MP urges: 'Support local businesses this Christmas'
 Burnham-On-Sea's
MP has this week urged shoppers to and support local shops and
businesses in the town in the run-up to Christmas.
He
made the comments on Monday (December 1st) as the Christmas shopping
season got into full swing despite continuing economic concerns.
"We should support our local high streets," he said.
"If we fail to do so, they may become decimated; as a result
of which we will see other household names fighting for survival
alongside Woolworths."
"Many
shops will disappear if the public continues to abandon their
local high street in favour of visiting out of town shopping malls."
Burnham-On-Sea.com's
shopping guide here
provides a list of Burnham's best local businesses.
Following
the Government’s announcement that it is introducing a new,
lower rate of VAT, Mr Heathcoat-Amory added that he has received
many complaints from owners of small shops regarding the administrative
cost of cutting the tax by 2.5%.
Commenting
on the affect the reduction is having on the owners of small shops,
the MP said: "Shopkeepers welcome the prospect of more spending,
but the comments I am getting are that it won't make a huge difference
and it's an expensive change to implement."
"Meanwhile,
I have a suggestion for small shop owners: check you are getting
small business rate relief. It is complex and you have to apply
for it, but it’s worth it. I can help individual owners with
the details. The rest of us can help by using our local small
shops and post offices."
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