Independent retailers in Burnham-On-Sea have raised concerns about rising costs and increasing levels of shop crime during a visit from Burnham and Highbridge MP Ashley Fox.
Ashley met members of the Federation of Independent Retailers at the Toy Cupboard, where business owners outlined the pressures facing small shops locally and across the UK.
Those attending included Jeff Savage, the Fed’s South West District vice-president; Douglas Oliver, political engagement coordinator; and shop owner Kathy Jones.
Katy said it had been a valuable opportunity to explain the challenges her business faces, including rising National Insurance contributions, higher energy bills and increasing incidents of retail crime.
She said: “It was good to catch up with Ashley and we discussed some of the problems with rising taxes, a higher minimum wage, theft and the need for a robust response from the police, and the difficulties reporting it.”
She also highlighted the seasonal nature of her seafront shop and the pressure of maintaining staffing levels throughout the year. Her business employs 12 paper boys, providing regular work for local young people, but she said the current economic climate makes it harder to support as many staff as she would like.
Ashley said he shared the concerns raised, particularly around shop crime and the impact of rising costs. He said: “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.”
He added that small business owners “work hard, pay their taxes, and deserve to know that criminals will face proper consequences,” and said he would take the Fed’s concerns back to Parliament.
