Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden has commended businesses across Wealden for the vital part they have played in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, to mark Small Business Saturday.
This year, Small Business Saturday came at the end of a hugely challenging period for small businesses, with many facing long periods of closure and reduced income due to the pandemic.
Nus has praised businesses across Wealden for stepping in to support the local community throughout 2020 and urged people to shop local and support the high street this festive period.
Throughout the course of pandemic, the Government has provided more than £280 billion to support lives and livelihoods across the country. This ensured that 3,800 people in Wealden were supported through the furlough scheme and 10,900 self-employed people in Wealden have received grants worth nearly £33 million.
Nus Ghani said: “Small businesses are the backbone of Wealden’s economy. Although the pandemic has taken a great toll on them, they have stepped up to help our communities throughout the pandemic and kept us supplied. I had the privilege of meeting just a few across the constituency this summer and thanking them for putting their lives at risk for us. With restrictions on retail now lifted, I hope everyone in Wealden will support our high streets and local businesses in the run up to Christmas.”