DON’T SHUTTER US DOWN!

19th April 2010

DON’T SHUTTER US DOWN - LOCAL NEWSAGENT SHARES CONCERNS WITH PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE

Local newsagent Martin Fitch has enlisted the support of Conservative Parliamentary candidate Gordon Henderson to champion the importance of small shops and to urge customers to shop locally.

The call for action came as the PCC spent time at Fitch’s Newsagents in Sheerness High Street on Monday 19th April to discuss the concerns of local newsagents and to explore ways in which they can be better supported, both locally and nationally.

Issues up for discussion included rising crime, concerns about the tobacco display ban which is due to come into effect in small shops in 2013 and competition from supermarkets. Small shops are now coming together under the umbrella of the National Federation of Newsagents and Retailers to run a campaign called ‘Don’t Shutter Us Down’. They are asking for election candidates to support the campaign and offer their help where it is needed in order to keep local shops open.

After the meeting Mr Fitch said: “Newsagents are at the heart of the community and it is important that our voices are heard loudly and clearly by people who can make a difference.”

Mr Henderson added: “As somebody who has been involved in retail for most of his working life, I know what life running a small shop is like and the issues shop keepers face. I look forward to working together with retailers in the future so that they stay in business and remain a permanent fixture of our local community for years to come.”