Small Business Saturday may only take place once a year across the country, but I celebrate almost every single weekend. Saturday 26th August was my 100th shoutout – and I have no plans to slow down.
The initiative, started regularly in 2021, was initially started as a way to tip the balance away from online giants and back towards Luton’s small business. It has since grown to be a regular feature of my weekend social media, a celebration of that creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship that is found all over Luton North.
Celebrating small businesses has led my to travel all around the constituency, visiting varying businesses from beauty salons and corner shops to motor specialists and cafes.
We often don’t notice how much we depend on small businesses, which is why I have made it my goal to shout-out a small business almost every single Saturday.
These businesses and their owners work incredibly hard to enrich life in our town. Yet the lack of a national industrial strategy has seen many businesses struggle, facing the challenge of high bills, inflation and the cost of living crisis.
I carry out my Small Business Saturday Shoutouts to help tip the balance towards supporting small businesses, and celebrate Luton North’s brilliant enterprises, as well as speaking in Parliament about reforms and small business needs.
We need to protect our small business, which is why I will continue to shout them out to the 100 mark and beyond.
