As Christmas draws near, it's heartening to see everyone doing their bit to support local businesses.
Shopping locally and using the fantastic services we have here in South Somerset is more important than ever—not just for gifts under the tree but for the very heart of our community.
Small businesses are at the core of South Somerset’s economy, providing jobs, services and a unique charm to our high streets.
This festive season, their success relies on all of us coming together to shop locally and support the hardworking people behind these businesses.
I recently had the pleasure of visiting several small businesses across Yeovil and South Somerset for Small Business Saturday, witnessing the dedication and hard work that make them the backbone of our economy.
Projects like Yeovil Refresh, which includes exciting plans for the regeneration of Glovers Walk, show what can be achieved when we invest in our local economy.
2024 has been a challenging year for many, with rising costs and UK business openings at their lowest level since 2010.
Yet, we’ve also seen positive progress, like the opening of the Chard Enterprise Centre, which is helping entrepreneurs create new opportunities, with nearly 89 per cent occupancy already.
To ensure continued growth and prosperity in South Somerset, we must keep championing our small businesses and high streets.
This includes investing in infrastructure like Yeovil Refresh and the Chard Enterprise Centre, tackling energy costs and business rates, and creating an environment where businesses can thrive.
Supporting local isn’t just about economic growth—it’s about fostering vibrant, connected communities where we all want to live, work, and shop.
I’ve been inspired this year by the resilience of local businesses and the incredible community spirit of our residents.
As we move into 2025, let’s keep building on this momentum to create growth, jobs, and opportunities across Chard, Ilminster, Yeovil, and beyond.
If you’re a small business owner with ideas, challenges, or success stories, I’d love to hear from you.
You can contact me at adam.dance.mp@parliament.uk.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Let’s make 2025 a year of progress and prosperity for South Somerset!
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