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Welcome to the Keep Trade Local Campaign; a grassroots campaign which is encouraging people to help save our communities and our local businesses.

Small businesses are not just a part of the local community, they are the local community. They generate wealth employment and opportunity. Still, in towns and villages across the UK small businesses and local shops continue to face closure.

Our high streets face extinction.

The UK economy is driven by small businesses. They make up 99% of all UK businesses; they are the engine for growth and job creation. The FSB’s Keep Trade Local campaign seeks to stem the tide of business closures, reverse the trend and defend the choice and diversity customers deserve. A few words from National Policy Chairman John Walker

To learn more about this campaigns please read the Keep Trade Local Manifesto

For more information on the individual campaign areas see below:

1. Planning: It is widely perceived that local councils are failing communities by not defending their local high streets and instead promoting out of town retail developments. More
2. Parking Charges: Local Authorities are using parking charges as a source of revenue, but in market towns across the country this strategy is bleeding our high streets dry. More  - Read our Parking Manifesto
3. Business Rates Relief: The burden of business rates falls disproportionally on small businesses. They are five times more expensive for small businesses as a proportion of turnover than they are for large companies. More
4. Crime Prevention: 20% of all crimes in Britain are committed against businesses, at a cost of £12 billion a year to local communities. More
5. Post Office Closures: Post Office closures are small businesses too. Their closures have a significant impact on other small businesses and communities. More
6. Public Procurement: Procurement is an under used tool in sustaining local communities. More

Aviva Bresky

2 Catherine Place, Westminster, London, SW1E 6HF

T: 020 7592 8100 F: 020 7233 7899