Herts and Beds Federation of Small Businesses urges to shop local amid pressures
This bank holiday weekend could be a make or break for many businesses left at risk by rising financial struggles
Residents in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire are being urged to continue supporting their small businesses, as many face pressures this Easter.
Suzanna Austin, Development Manager for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) covering Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, has spoken about the concerns small businesses are facing following National Insurance increases.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, she said: "When it’s a late Easter, it’s one of those things that small businesses really put down in their calendars because it can be a really boosting weekend.
"Late Easters usually coincide with slightly better weather and it’s been a longer stretch since Christmas, so people potentially have a bit more money to spend, but this year we’re hearing from our members that people are potentially being a little bit more cautious in their spending."
The Federation of Small Businesses represents and supports members, who are owners of small and medium size businesses.
In recent weeks, they found businesses hesitant taking on temporary staff as a direct result of government changes both due to financial pressures and increased risk.
Some are reported having to rethink their operations, which includes amended opening hours, reduced product offering, or reducing staff hours.
Ms Austin said: "There’s more than one place that I’ve visited recently that is now only working six days a week as opposed to seven, or they’re opening five days instead of six, or taking a Monday off when historically they would be open on a Monday.
"We are seeing a number of businesses that are having to make those cutbacks and are having to make some really difficult choices."
According to the FSB, small businesses in the United Kingdom represent about 98% of all businesses and roughly 60% of the total workforce works for a small business.
When those small businesses are making cutbacks or changes, they fear the impact could be far greater than on the business alone, impacting local communities and the wider economy.
Ms Austin called for a return to a situation pre-national insurance increases.
She said: "We’re really asking government to think about these decisions and really put small businesses front and foremost when it comes to that autumn budget, and make it easier for small businesses to keep going and cut down on that bureaucracy.
"All of the data will be there by then and we really push for the government to start looking at making the tax implications a lot better for those small businesses."
The Treasury has been contacted for a comment.