I always use my local shops, whenever and wherever I can and I would urge you to join me in supporting local businesses on our High Street across Thirsk and Malton this Saturday (16th March). High Street Saturday, a new campaign day, aims to celebrate town centres across the country.
As part of the day, local people are being encouraged to:
• Pledge to shop locally on High Street Saturday.
• Share photos and messages online using #HighStreetSaturday.
• Encourage local councils to make good use of the Future High Street Fund, provided by the Government to make high streets and town centres fit for the future.
High streets have long been a place to bring communities together, a place for local people to access vital services and a place for businesses to thrive. However, the Government recognises that it is becoming harder for businesses on high streets across the country to compete with out-of-town shopping centres and online retailers. That’s why the Conservatives in government have:
• Delivered over £10 billion of business rates support since 2016, including cutting small retailers’ bills by a third.
• Backed community leaders with £675 million of funding to help modernise their high streets and town centres.
• Relaxed planning rules to support new homes on the high street, transforming them into community hubs where people work, live and shop.
High streets are instrumental in bringing people together, acting as a meeting place for friends and families and a place for businesses to thrive if they have community support, creating jobs for local people. However, as the way we shop changes, I am encouraging people across my constituency to join me in pledging to shop locally not just this Saturday, but in the future, to support the independent businesses we all know and love. The Conservatives in Government are determined to support our high streets by taking action on business rates, supporting high streets to modernise and helping to transform empty shops into new homes.
