SOUTHAMPTON-born chancellor Rishi Sunak is being urged to “save” the city where he grew up. The public plea comes from the city’s business improvement district, Go! Southampton, which says 82 per cent of its 600 member businesses are temporarily closed because of the lockdown. Mr Sunak – who was thrust into the national spotlight when he became chancellor a year ago today – is being urged to extend breaks such as furlough, low VAT and zero business rates. The chancellor was born in Southampton General Hospital and grew up in Portswood and Bassett before boarding at Winchester College. Go! Southampton members are urging Rishi Sunak to save Southampton
We have never seen a year like it. The pandemic has changed life for everyone and had a huge impact on our towns, cities and high streets. Many of the changes have been happening for years and COVID-19 has simply accelerated them. The growth in online retail is just one example. So it is now more important than ever to support our business communities, great retailers and superb hospitality venues, right across Southampton, from the vibrant city centre to the diverse district high streets. Now the Daily Echo is teaming up with the city council and Go Southampton to launch the Love Local Business campaign, in print, online and on social media.
A hair salon wants to encourage high street businesses to brighten up their window displays. Cabello in Witham have put on a valentines display on their high street store in a bid to try and lift the sombre mood of the high street. Owner Kat Berale said she hoped it would inspire other businesses to do the same. She said: We are speaking some lockdown love at Cabello. We are also producing live Positivity Challenges on Facebook. I’m hoping our windows will inspire some other businesses to decorate their windows, so the town doesn’t just look sad and boarded up.
LOCKDOWN has led many people to get more creative in the kitchen - with small independents in York helping out with ingredients. With a rich choice of suppliers in and around the city now doing doorstep deliveries, from delicatessens to green grocers, there has never been a better time to try new dishes. The Press
Love Local Business campaign is promoting the efforts of independents in York to help showcase how they are operating during lockdown and encourage readers to continue their local support. If you have a local independent business share details of how you re continuing to trade with The Press by sending details and pictures, via this Send Now button.