Having spent fifteen years helping small businesses get off the ground before coming to Parliament, and having been a Business Minister on three occasions, I am a deeply passionate supporter of Small Business. It is the engine of our local, and national, economy.

That’s why I am delighted to be supporting Small Business Saturday once again this year – taking place TOMORROW – Saturday 2nd December.

It has been a particularly difficult few years for local Business – with the cost of living crisis, including rising energy prices, and the Covid pandemic adding to the many pressures local businesses and entrepreneurs typically face.

Small Business Saturday is a great reminder in the weeks before Christmas for us to get out, #BuyLocal and show our support for the entrepreneurs and staff that often go unsung, many of whom kept our shelves stocked and went the extra mile to help us all during the pandemic, and who now continue to provide the goods and services we all depend upon.

Over the years, I have strived to do all I can to support local businesses and entrepreneurs – whether it be via my local business spotlight and regular constituency day visits, or by giving them a platform to come together and have a stronger, common voice at the Norfolk Enterprise Festival that I co-founded.

I look forward to continuing that work in the months and years ahead, and I am excited for another successful Small Business Saturday tomorrow.

To learn more about Small Business Saturday, please visit the campaign website here.

To learn more about my ongoing work to support our local small business community, please visit my own website here. (Just last week I was visiting businesses on Attleborough High Street – and, throughout 2023, I’ve had the opportunity to see first-hand the incredible work being done by small businesses and entrepreneurs across Mid Norfolk)